~ Under questioning from Hirono, Hegseth refused to commit to complying with court orders and left the door open to using military force against protestors in the U.S. ~
~ Video of Senator Hirono’s question line is available here ~
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, pressed Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on the chaos transpiring at the Department of Defense (DOD) under his leadership.
“After only months on the job, our concerns about you have proven true, as far as I’m concerned,” said Senator Hirono in her opening remarks. “Instead of strengthening national security, you’ve turned the Pentagon into a dysfunctional mess. You are jeopardizing military operations and servicemembers’ lives with your unprecedented action of texting classified military plans to anyone who might stroke your ego.”
During her line of questioning about the recent mobilization of nearly 5,000 active-duty Marines and National Guard troops in Los Angeles against the wishes of state and local leaders in California, Senator Hirono pressed Secretary Hegseth on whether he would comply with court orders regarding the legality of this deployment.
“It is not normal to call up our troops in this way, and there is active litigation against this deployment,” said Senator Hirono. “If the court says this deployment of troops into our cities is not legal, would you follow that court's order?”
Secretary Hegseth refused to explicitly answer whether he would comply with a court decision, stating, “I don't believe district courts should be determining national security policy, but when it goes to the Supreme Court we’ll see.”
Senator Hirono also pressed the Defense Secretary on whether he would utilize those troops against U.S. citizens and civilians. Secretary Hegseth refused to rule out further mobilization of the troops against U.S. citizens and civilians.
Given the rising tensions in Los Angeles, and echoing her line of questioning during his confirmation hearing earlier this year, Senator Hirono also asked Secretary Hegseth whether he would comply if President Trump ordered him to shoot peaceful protesters in the legs. Again, Secretary Hegseth refused to say whether he would comply if Trump gave him such an order.
“Leading the Department of Defense is more than just a PR campaign filled with photo ops,” said Senator Hirono during her remarks. “At a time when steady leadership is critical, we are confronted with crisis and instability.”
The full transcript of Senator Hirono’s exchange with Mr. Hegseth is available below. Video of Senator Hirono’s question line is available here.
Senator Hirono: Secretary Hegseth, you’ve had a tough start. At your confirmation hearing, my Democratic colleagues and I rightly questioned whether you had the requisite qualifications and experience to lead the DOD—the largest federal agency—especially given your checkered past, which included paying $50,000 in hush money to settle a sexual assault allegation against you and driving two veterans’ organizations into the ground.
After only months on the job, our concerns about you have proven true, as far as I’m concerned. Instead of strengthening national security, you’ve turned the Pentagon into a dysfunctional mess. You are jeopardizing military operations and servicemembers’ lives with your unprecedented action of texting classified military plans to anyone who might stroke your ego.
Leading the Department of Defense is more than just a PR campaign filled with photo ops. While you pose for cameras, Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine continues unabated. Israel and Iran are also at war, in large part because your boss tore up a multilateral agreement former President Obama brokered with the UK, France, Germany, China, and Russia that curbed Iran’s nuclear program and ambitions. Meanwhile, China advances in the Pacific as this regime undermines and attacks our allies. At a time when steady leadership is critical, we are confronted with crisis and instability.
Mr. Secretary, close to 5,000 Marines and National Guards have been deployed to LA without the request or consent of the California Governor or the Los Angeles Mayor Bass. Rather than calming the situation, this troop deployment is purposely inflaming and escalates tensions. You claim lethality is your top priority. Do you plan to unleash this lethal force against U.S. citizens and civilians in LA and other cities?
Secretary Hegseth: Well, Senator, I would reject most of the characterization of that statement, including lethality against U.S. cities when all of those National Guardsmen and Marines have conducted themselves with the utmost of professionalism, defending our federal agents—Americans—who deserve to be able to do their job to deport illegal immigrants after the previous administration allowed 21 million illegals to cross our border.
Senator Hirono: Reclaiming my time. You know, I am not here to listen to your rhetorical responses. I would like to have a professional response that I would expect from somebody who is the Secretary of Defense.
Millions of people peacefully demonstrated this weekend against the President acting like a king. Given this regime’s dangerous policy of mobilizing troops inside the U.S., the politicizing of the military is a legitimate concern. So, given the dangerous policy of mobilizing troops inside the U.S., if ordered by the President—I’m going to ask you once again—to shoot peaceful protestors in the legs, would you carry out such an order from the President?
Secretary Hegseth: Senator, as I have said before, of course I reject the premise of your question. And the characterization that I would be given, or are given, unlawful orders is all an attempt to smear the commander-in-chief and I won’t fall for it.
Senator Hirono: Considering that the President—in his first term—actually ordered such a thing, it is not a premise you can reject. He can order you to do the same thing, so again, I think you would just follow what the President wants you to do.
Let's face it. It is not normal to call up our troops in this way, and there is active litigation against this deployment. Will you follow a court's order regarding whether or not this deployment is legal? If the court says this deployment of troops into our cities is not legal, would you follow that court's order?
Secretary Hegseth: It’s pending in the courts, Senator.
Senator Hirono: Well, when the court decides, would you follow that court’s order—decision?
Secretary Hegseth: I don't believe district courts should be determining national security policy, but when it goes to the Supreme Court we’ll see.
Senator Hirono: So you will not be following that order from a legitimate court unless the President decides to appeal, well there you have it. So, I take it that you don't consider district court decisions to be legitimate. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
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