Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was quickly met with sharp questions and criticism Tuesday by lawmakers who pressed him about his early moves to fire key military leaders and purge diversity programs and who expressed bipartisan frustration that Congress has not yet gotten a full defense budget from the Trump administration.
The Pentagon says the deployment of National Guard members and Marines to protests over immigration raids in Los Angeles is costing $134 million.
After persistent questioning from members of Congress on Tuesday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth turned to his acting comptroller, Bryn Woollacott MacDonnell, who provided the total. She said the money will come from operations and maintenance accounts.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.
WASHINGTON Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was quickly met with sharp questions and criticism Tuesday by lawmakers who pressed him about his early moves to fire key military leaders and purge diversity programs and who expressed bipartisan frustration that Congress has not yet gotten a full defense budget from the Trump administration.
“Your tenure as secretary has been marked by endless chaos,” Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., told Hegseth. Others, including Republican leaders, warned that massive spending projects such as President Donald Trump’s desire for a $175 billion Golden Dome missile will get broad congressional scrutiny.
The House Defense Appropriations subcommittee hearing was the first time lawmakers have been able to challenge Trump’s defense chief since he was confirmed. And it is the first of three congressional hearings he will face this week.
Lawmakers complained widely that Congress hasn’t yet gotten details of the administration’s first proposed defense budget, which Trump has said would total $1 trillion, a significant increase over the current spending level of more than $800 billion. And they said they are are unhappy with the administration’s efforts to go around Congress to push through changes.
