Despite the Democrats’ fearmongering tactics, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that President Donald Trump has the power to protect America.
The secretary stood firm against criticism over military deployment, defending the president’s constitutional authority to protect Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents nationwide.
The deployment of 4,800 National Guard and Marines comes as violent protestors attacked federal agents conducting lawful deportations of criminal illegal aliens in Los Angeles.
Hegseth made it clear that ICE agents have a right to safely perform their duties anywhere in America.
He specifically stated that deportations of criminal illegal aliens should proceed without interference.
Hegseth expressed:
“They’re being attacked for doing their job, which is deporting illegal criminals that should happen in any city, Minneapolis or Los Angeles. And if they’re attacked, that’s lawless and President Trump believes in law and order, so he has every authority.”
During a House Appropriations Defense subcommittee hearing, Hegseth did not mince words about the failures of Democrat leadership in California.
“The governor of California is unable to execute the laws of the United States,” the secretary declared.
“The governor of California has failed to protect his people, along with the mayor of Los Angeles and so President Trump has said he will protect our agents and our Guard and Marines are proud to do it,” he continued.
The deployment will cost approximately $134 million from existing operational accounts.
Democrat lawmakers like Rep. Betty McCollum criticized the move as “premature” and “escalatory,” claiming active-duty military should not participate in domestic law enforcement.
However, Hegseth cited Title 10 of the U.S. Code as the legal basis for protecting federal personnel and buildings.
While Democrats like Rep. Pete Aguilar raised concerns about troop preparedness, showing images of soldiers sleeping on floors, Hegseth dismissed these tactics as political theater.
“That’s a disingenuous attack that misrepresents how much we care about our troops,” the secretary said.
“Nobody cares more about the troops at the top than this secretary and the chairman in our department. The commanders and troops on the field are very well prepared,” he added.
The troops deployed to Los Angeles have been instructed to carry guns and ammunition separately, solely for self-defense and property protection. They are not patrolling streets or making arrests.
The limited role has not stopped Democrat politicians from portraying this as an abuse of power, despite similar deployments being authorized throughout American history.
President Trump described the situation on his Truth Social platform, calling the protestors “violent, insurrectionist mobs.”
The Pentagon has referred media inquiries to Hegseth’s social media posts rather than holding press conferences that the mainstream media could twist.
Looking beyond the immediate crisis, Hegseth outlined the administration’s commitment to strengthening America’s military, requesting $961.6 billion for fiscal year 2026.
The budget prioritizes rebuilding military capabilities, countering China, securing the border, and developing new missile defense systems.
The Trump administration has also secured a 10.5% pay raise for junior enlisted troops.
As illegal immigration continues to threaten American communities, the Trump administration has demonstrated its resolve to enforce immigration laws despite Democrat obstruction.
