Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is slated to testify before a House panel on Tuesday, marking his first appearance on Capitol Hill since being sworn in five months ago. This testimony comes at a critical time as concerns grow regarding the deployment of troops to Los Angeles as part of an immigration enforcement initiative. Hegseth's appearance is scheduled before the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, where he will be joined by Gen. Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and acting Pentagon Comptroller Bryn Woollacott MacDonnell. The primary focus will be the administration's budget request for 2026.
During the upcoming hearing, Hegseth is anticipated to avoid delving into the specifics of the military's spending blueprint, which has yet to be disclosed. Instead, he is likely to emphasize recent improvements in recruiting numbers and advancements in technology initiatives within the Army. However, the backdrop of his testimony will be significantly influenced by the Pentagon's recent decision to deploy approximately 4,800 troops, including 700 Marines, to Los Angeles. This deployment follows several days of intense clashes between protesters and law enforcement in the area.
The troops, referred to as Task Force 51, are being mobilized under a law known as Title 10, which grants the president the authority to deploy military forces to safeguard federal property and personnel. Gen. Eric Smith, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, is also scheduled to testify separately before the Senate Armed Services Committee on the same day.
On the eve of Hegseth's testimony, Rep. Betty McCollum of Minnesota, the leading Democrat on the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, accused President Donald Trump of intentionally escalating tensions in Los Angeles by advocating for military reinforcements that were not requested by California Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom. She condemned the decision to send Marines as "outrageous," emphasizing that the active-duty military has no legal role in domestic law enforcement.
Following the troop deployment to Los Angeles, the Pentagon has refrained from conducting a news conference, directing reporters with inquiries about the mission to Hegseth's posts on X (formerly Twitter). In his statements on the platform, Hegseth asserted that the troops are essential for protecting federal immigration officers and detention facilities. He emphasized, "There is plenty of room for peaceful protest, but ZERO tolerance for attacking federal agents who are doing their job." He further stated that the National Guard and Marines would stand in support of ICE.
U.S. officials clarified that the deployed troops would carry firearms and ammunition separately, intended solely for self-defense and the protection of federal property. They will not engage in street patrols or assist law enforcement in arresting protesters.
There remains uncertainty about whether President Trump is preparing to invoke the Insurrection Act, an 1807 law allowing the president to call upon a militia or U.S. armed forces in cases of insurrection or domestic violence obstructing the execution of U.S. laws. On his Truth Social platform, Trump labeled the L.A. protesters as violent "insurrectionist mobs" and "paid insurrectionists." When questioned about Hegseth's communication with Trump, Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson indicated that the Secretary maintains regular contact with the President concerning the National Guard's presence in Los Angeles.
Following his testimony, Hegseth is expected to accompany President Trump to Fort Bragg in North Carolina for events celebrating the Army's 250th birthday. Since his appointment, Hegseth has overseen military operations along the U.S. southern border with Mexico to mitigate unauthorized migrant entries. His tenure has also included the elimination of programs aimed at enhancing diversity within military ranks, a reduction in the number of general officers, and efforts to establish a $175 billion U.S. missile defense shield.
Despite these initiatives, Hegseth faces challenges, including reports of dysfunction and infighting among his personal staff at the Pentagon. Since his swearing-in on January 25, he has dismissed or reassigned several top political advisers and has operated without a chief of staff since April.
Additionally, Tuesday's hearing will be Hegseth's first since revelations emerged regarding his use of a commercial messaging app, Signal, to communicate details about a pending military attack to high-ranking officials and others, including his spouse. This matter is currently under investigation by the Defense Department's inspector general.
ABC's Luis Martinez contributed to this report, highlighting the ongoing developments surrounding Hegseth's testimony and the implications of the military's role in domestic affairs.
