California Lawmakers Plan to Interrogate Hegseth Regarding Potential Federal Military Deployment in Los Angeles
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Protesting Patriots: Los Angeles is in turmoil, and the Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is about to feel the heat. Seven California Democrats will grill him on Thursday as part of the House Armed Services Committee. On Wednesday, Hegseth showed his cards but couldn't name the laws justifying the deployment of Marines in Los Angeles.
California Democrats are on the warpath due to the unexpected federal immigration sweeps that began last Friday, causing chaos and protests in downtown LA. Rep. Derek Tran (D-Orange) expressed his concern, stating, "We need to de-escalate the situation. Sending in troops that shouldn't be there, that are trained to shoot and kill, only escalates it."
The city sawaction on Tuesday when Mayor Karen Bass imposed a curfew in the civic core from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., a response to dissenters blocking highways, vandalising buildings, and looting businesses.
Protests in L.A.: As protests continue over U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's actions, theft, vandalism, and violence have been concerning issues. As of Tuesday evening, several hundred people had been detained, either on suspicion of crimes or because of their immigration status.
Hegseth's third appearance on Capitol Hill this week is on Thursday before the House Armed Services Committee. His questioned performance on Tuesday by the House Appropriations subcommittee on defense and Senate Appropriations Committee on Wednesday was far from cordial. Hegseth was bombarded with questions regarding the "chaos" in his tenure, national secrets on a Signal group chat, and the lack of communication with elected leaders about Defense Department operations and budgets.
With the committee overseeing the Pentagon budget, the seven Democratic members from California are expected to press Hegseth on the legality of the deployment of federal forces in California, the lack of coordination with state and local officials, and the welfare of those swept up in the raids.
The Political Spin: Many Angelenos and local leaders reject Trump's view of a city on the brink of destruction. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) said Trump is merely playing his usual game, stating, "He likes to play arsonist and firefighter." Carbajal argues Trump is using the raids to deflect attention from damaging legislation while enriching the wealthy.
While the legal justification for the deployment of active-duty Marines to Los Angeles remains dubious, the situation is complex and contentious, with state officials adamantly opposing the deployment and a federal judge ruling that President Trump exceeded his authority in federalizing the California National Guard without Governor Gavin Newsom's consent. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has allowed the National Guard to remain while the matter is being appealed.
Stay tuned as California Democrats press Hegseth on the legal and moral issues surrounding the deployment of troops in Los Angeles.
- The deployment of Marines in Los Angeles, justified by unnamed laws, has caused an uproar among California Democrats, leading to increasing political tension.
- The unexpected federal immigration sweeps in Los Angeles have caused chaos, prompting protests, vandalism, and looting, resulting in the detention of several hundred people.
- California Democrats will question Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday about the legality of the deployment of federal forces in California and the lack of coordination with state and local officials.
- Amidst the protests, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has imposed a curfew in the civic core due to dissenters blocking highways, vandalizing buildings, and looting businesses.
- Many Angelenos and local leaders reject President Trump's view of the city, accusing him of playing a game of arsonist and firefighter, using the raids to deflect attention from damaging legislation and enriching the wealthy.
- The legal justification for the deployment of active-duty Marines to Los Angeles is questionable, with state officials arguing that President Trump exceeded his authority, and a federal judge ruling accordingly, while the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals allows the National Guard to remain during the appeals process.
