Hegseth Admits He Doesn't Know What Authority Trump Is Using To Deploy Troops

Source: HuffPost

Hegseth Admits He Doesn’t Know What Authority Trump Is Using To Deploy Troops

But the former Fox News weekend host and current defense secretary told lawmakers he's sure his boss has the right to deploy troops wherever he wants.

By S.V. Date
Jun 10, 2025, 12:34 PM EDT

WASHINGTON ― Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testified in Congress Tuesday that he did not know what legal authority his boss was using to deploy troops to suppress protests in Los Angeles against deportation raids, but he was certain President Donald Trump had it.

“What’s the justification for the military for civilian law enforcement purposes in LA?” California Democratic Rep. Peter Aguilar asked. “Why are you sending war fighters to cities to interact with civilians?”

He then asked Hegseth which of the three reasons listed in the law that permits U.S. troops to deploy domestically Trump was citing.

Federal law says a president can federalize a state’s National Guard units if the country is invaded, if there is a “rebellion or danger of rebellion,” or if the president cannot execute the laws of the United States.

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Read more: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/hegseth-troops-deploy-congress_n_6848569de4b07d60ea752c07

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Earlier DU thread: Hegseth asserts Trump can send troops anywhere to protect ICE agents conducting raids