Senator Reed Questions Military Deployment for Law Enforcement in Los Angeles

Military Deployment in Los Angeles

• 📌 Senator Reed questions Secretary Hegseth regarding the deployment of 4,000 National Guardsmen and 700 Marines to Los Angeles, noting it's against the advice of local officials.
• 🎯 These forces are in addition to personnel already deployed at the southern border and for interior immigration efforts.
• ⚠️ The Department of Homeland Security has requested further support, including military drone surveillance and authorization for military forces to detain or arrest American citizens.

Lawful and Constitutional Authority

• ⚖️ Secretary Hegseth asserts that all authorizations for the National Guard and Marines in Los Angeles are lawful and constitutional, under the President's authority.
• 🤝 He states these forces are assisting in defending law enforcement officers who are carrying out their duties.

Funding and Readiness Concerns

• 💰 The operation is partially funded by the Department of Homeland Security, with some costs covered by the Department of Defense, raising questions about budget allocation and potential impact on readiness.
• 📉 Senator Reed expresses concern that using military personnel for tasks like laying concertina wire and guarding buildings is illegal and diminishes military readiness and focus.

Definition of Law and Order

• 🚓 Hegseth defines the mission as maintaining law and order on behalf of law enforcement agents, protecting them from attacks by mobs.
• 🏛️ Reed counters that law and order is a civil function, distinct from the U.S. military's role, emphasizing that civil enforcement should be handled by civilian authorities.