Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth testified on Capitol Hill on Tuesday in the first of several hearings during the next week, in which he was grilled on the use of troops to quell protests in Los Angeles, funding for Ukraine’s war effort against Russia, and his repeated use of the phrase “warrior ethos.”
Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur told Hegseth: “When I hear warrior ethos, and I hear it a lot from you, Mr. Secretary, I'm concerned.”
“All the soldiers in our family, all of whom fought and received medals for their combat service, call themselves soldiers,” she added.
Hegseth refused to reveal the cost of the deployment of troops to Los Angeles, instead delegating the question to his special assistant, Bryn MacDonnell.
"The current estimated cost is $134 million, which is largely just TDY cost, travel, housing, food, etc,” she said.
Asked about support for the Ukraine security assistance initiative, Hegseth said there will be a “reduction in this budget.”
“This administration takes a very different view of that conflict,” he added. “We believe a negotiated, peaceful settlement is in the best interest of both parties and our nation's interests, especially with all the competing interests around the globe.”
Key points
- WATCH: Pete Hegseth deflects budget question about deployment of Marines
- Latinas for Trump founder now condemns White House deportation agenda: ‘Not what we voted for’
- 'No soldier ever volunteered for the army to be lectured about transgender,' Trump says
- Trump to restore Confederate generals like Robert E. Lee to military bases after Biden changed them
- Hegseth speaks to troops in North Carolina
'Fight, fight, fight': Trump wraps up remarks at Fort Bragg
22:21 , Gustaf KilanderTrump wrapped up his remarks at Fort Bragg with the words “Whatever peril comes our way, whatever matters threatens our people, you will stand strong.”
He continued: “You will be proud. You will charge hard, and you will keep that flame lit, that beautiful, beautiful flame. You're going to keep it lit.”
“You will hold the flag high, and you will do something that's become quite a famous little phrase also, but you're a hell of a lot braver than me,” he added, before referencing his words following the assassination attempt against him last summer. “You will fight, fight, fight, and you will win, win, win. Thank you. God bless you. God bless our soldiers and God bless the US Army.”
'No soldier ever volunteered for the army to be lectured about transgender,' Trump says
22:12 , Gustaf KilanderTrump once again brought up trans issues during his speech at Fort Bragg.
“Under the Trump administration, we're focused on restoring the spirit of the US armed forces,” he said. “No soldier ever volunteered for the army to be lectured about transgender diversity or inclusion.”
“America's patriots joined the army to kick down doors, storm beaches, kill terrorists, and win America's wars. That's what we want, and that's what you want,” he told the assembled soldiers.
Trump to restore Confederate generals like Robert E. Lee to military bases after Biden changed them
22:10 , Gustaf KilanderAndrew Feinberg writes:
President Donald Trump on Tuesday claimed he would restore the names of Confederate traitors who fought to keep Black people enslaved to American military bases across the country despite Congress mandating their removal in a law enacted over his veto five years ago.
Speaking to active duty troops at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, Trump told the assembled soldiers he would be restoring the names of Fort Pickett, Fort Hood, Fort Rucker, Fort Polk, Fort AP Hill and Fort Robert E Lee, all of which were placed on facilities in the Southern United States — the former pro-slavery confederacy — by racist lawmakers who sought to honor the “Lost Cause” of the fight against emancipating Black people from slavery.
Read more:
Trump to restore Confederate generals like Robert E. Lee to military bases
GOP senators break ranks on Trump’s military parade - one compares it to North Korea
22:00 , Gustaf KilanderRachel Dobkin writes:
Rand Paul has become the first Republican senator to break ranks on President Donald Trump’s military parade, comparing it to North Korea.
The parade, which officials estimate will cost a maximum of $45 million, will be held on June 14 to celebrate the Army’s 250th birthday, which also happens to fall on Trump’s 79th birthday.
Read more:
GOP senators break ranks on Trump’s military parade, likens it to North Korea
Trump interrupts speech as audience member needs medical attention
21:56 , Gustaf KilanderTrump interrupted his speech as someone in the audience needed medical attention.
“Are you okay? Darling? You all right? You take your time. Please, doctor, Please, doctor, doctor, in the house,” he said.
The president noted that the audience had “been waiting here a long time.”
WATCH: Trump announces renaming US Army bases after Confederate generals
21:51 , Gustaf KilanderTrump warns Europe of 'uncontrolled migration'
21:51 , Gustaf KilanderTrump issued a warning to Europe regarding “uncontrolled migration.”
“What's happened so quickly, as the entire world can now see, uncontrolled migration leads to chaos, dysfunction and disorder,” he said.
“And you know what? They have it in Europe too. It's happening in many of the countries of Europe,” he claimed. “They don't like it when I say it, but I'll say it loudly and clearly. They better do something before it's too late.”
'These are animals': Trump addresses California protests
21:46 , Gustaf KilanderSpeaking about the protests in Los Angeles, Trump said of the demonstrators, “These are animals, but they proudly carry the flags of other countries. But they don't carry the American flag. They only burn it.”
Trump then called for those burning the US flag to go to prison for a year.
“The agitators are throwing fire bombs, Molotov cocktails, lighting vehicles ablaze,” he added.
Trump announces name changes to bases
21:41 , Gustaf KilanderThe president once again mentioned the name change of the base.
“Few places loom larger in army lore than where we are gathered today, the one and only Fort Bragg,” he said.
“But remember, it was only that little brief moment that it wasn't called Fort Bragg, it was by the Biden administration, not Trump,” he added.
“For a little breaking news, we are also going to be restoring the names to Fort Pickett, Fort Hood, Fort Gordon, Fort Rucker, Fort Polk, Fort AP Hill, and Fort Robert E Lee,” said the president.
WATCH: Trump claims he spoke to Newsom yesterday
21:40 , Gustaf KilanderTrump takes podium at Fort Bragg
21:31 , Gustaf KilanderTrump began his speech by noting the name of the base — Fort Bragg.
“Can you believe they changed that name in the last administration for a little bit?” he asked.
“But we'll forget all about that. Forget all about it, I want to just say, God bless the US Army and God bless the USA,” he added.
The president took to the stage wearing a new maroon baseball hat.
“For two and a half centuries, our soldiers have marched into the raging fires of battle and obliterated America's enemies,” he said. “Has never been anything like it. There's never been a force like this.”
Hegseth speaks to troops in North Carolina
21:21 , Gustaf KilanderHegseth took the podium at Fort Bragg, telling the assembled soldiers that “We're not a college or a university. We're not interested in your woke garbage, and your political correctness,” to loud cheers.
“What I tell troops when we travel across the world and we've had a chance to meet so many of you fine Americans, what I always say is the message from our commander in chief is he has your back,” he said of the president.
Latinas for Trump founder now condemns White House deportation agenda: ‘Not what we voted for’
21:20 , Gustaf KilanderAlex Woodward writes:
A Republican state lawmaker in Florida who founded Latinas for Trump condemned the administration’s sweeping immigration arrests across the state despite the president’s months-long campaign that promised the largest “mass deportation operation” in American history.
“This is not what we voted for,” state Sen. Ileana Garcia said in a statement Saturday. “I have always supported Trump, through thick and thin. However, this is unacceptable and inhumane.”
Read more:
Latinas for Trump founder says mass deportation agenda is ‘not what we voted for’
Trump: National Guard will be in California until there's no more danger
21:00 , Gustaf KilanderWhy is MAGA calling for a boycott of Walmart?
20:40 , Gustaf KilanderErin Keller writes:
A far-right group on X is calling for MAGA supporters to boycott Walmart due to a company stakeholder’s alleged involvement in the upcoming “No Kings” protests.
In a tweet Monday, Libs of Chicago shared a photo of a full-page No Kings ad that ran in the New York Times in March. The ad was reportedly paid for by Christy Walton, the billionaire philanthropist and widow of John T. Walton, one of the sons of Walmart founder Sam Walton. She has a net worth of near $20 billion.
Read more:
WATCH: Trump warns anyone protesting his military parade will be met with 'very big force'
20:20 , Gustaf KilanderBob Costas calls out legacy press for paying ‘ransom’ to Trump and pivoting to ‘MAGA media’
20:00 , Gustaf KilanderJustin Baragona writes:
Veteran sportscaster Bob Costas declared this week that the “free press is under attack” while assailing mainstream media outlets for kowtowing to Donald Trump and paying the president a “ransom,” claiming that “these are ongoing assaults” to the First Amendment.
During his speech at Monday night’s Mirror Awards in New York City, where he received the Fred Dressler Leadership Award for making “distinct, consistent and unique contributions to the public's understanding of the media,” Costas took the opportunity to call out ABC News for capitulating to the president.
Read more:
Costas calls out legacy press for paying Trump ‘ransom’ and pivoting to ‘MAGA media’
Live: Trump makes remarks during visit to Fort Bragg in North Carolina
19:56 , Gustaf KilanderRachel Maddow says Trump is ‘absolutely panicking’ and has ‘no freaking idea’ how to respond to LA protests
19:40 , Gustaf KilanderMSNBC star Rachel Maddow repeatedly accused Donald Trump of “panicking” in his response to the anti-ICE raids that have exploded in Los Angeles and now spread across the country, claiming the president has “no freaking idea” how to deal with the fallout politically.
At the same time, she appeared to urge her viewers to take part in demonstrations against the administration, saying that “protests work” while highlighting the anti-Trump “No Kings” movement that has grown in recent days.
Read more from Justin Baragona:
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Maddow: Trump is ‘absolutely panicking’ and has no idea how to respond to LA protests
WATCH: Pete Hegseth deflects budget question about deployment of Marines
19:20 , Gustaf KilanderTrump plans to keep Starlink at the White House operational despite rift with Musk
19:00 , Gustaf KilanderAriana Baio writes:
President Donald Trump said he would maintain the White House’s operational ties to Starlink, the high-speed internet service owned by Musk’s company SpaceX, despite their recent falling out.
Speaking with reporters on Monday, the president was asked if he would split from the physical impact of Musk – such as getting rid the Tesla Model S that he purchased from Musk in March or Starlink technologies.
“I may move the Tesla around a little bit, but I don’t think we’ll be doing that with Starlink. It’s a good service,” Trump told reporters on Monday.
Read more:
Trump plans to keep Starlink at the White House operational despite rift with Musk
DNI Director Tulsi Gabbard posts ominous video warning ‘elites’ are fine with nuclear war because they own bunkers
18:40 , The IndependentDonald Trump’s Director of National Intelligence has posted an ominous video suggesting “political elites” are fomenting nuclear tensions because they own bunkers which would protect them from a bomb.
Tulsi Gabbard said she had recently visited Hiroshima, marking 80 years since the US dropped an atomic bomb on the city.
Read more:
DNI Director Tulsi Gabbard posts ominous video warning ‘elites’
Steve Bannon says Trump should launch an investigation into Musk for alleged drug use
18:20 , Gustaf KilanderIsabel Keane writes:
Former White House advisor Steve Bannon is urging President Donald Trump’s administration to launch a special counsel investigation into Elon Musk – including looking at his alleged drug use.
“I think the best way to do it is as a special counsel that can kind of oversee everything. Pull the security clearance for the drugs, temporarily, investigate the whole drug situation,” Bannon told former Meet The Press host Chuck Todd on his new streaming show, “Sunday Night With Chuck Todd.”
Bannon, referencing a New York Times report that detailed the billionaire CEO’s alleged drug use leading up to the 2024 election.
Read more:
Steve Bannon says Trump should launch an investigation into Musk for alleged drug use
Trump threatens protesters who rain on his military parade Saturday ‘will be met with very big force’
18:16 , Gustaf KilanderAndrew Feinberg writes:
President Donald Trump on Tuesday threatened to forcibly put down any protests that spoil the military parade he has ordered up for his birthday on Saturday to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army’s founding during the American Revolutionary War.
Speaking in the Oval Office following an impromptu event to discuss forest management ahead of the upcoming summer wildfire season, Trump was riffing on what he described as violent excesses by protesters who’ve been demonstrating against Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids in Los Angeles when he was asked about the possibility of protests against the June 14 parade.
Read more:
Trump threatens birthday parade protesters with ‘very big force’
White House says it will spare some Aids programs that were on the chopping block
18:00 , Gustaf KilanderThe White House is trying to reassure House Republicans that Donald Trump’s plans to slash funding to Aids projects around the world will spare a number of key prevention programs.
House Speaker Mike Johnson and his fellow GOP leaders in the lower chamber of Congress are racing to shore up support ahead of a vote on a $9.4bn package of spending cuts Thursday.
Read more from Joe Sommerlad:
White House says it will spare some Aids programs that were on the chopping block
Trump claims 'If it wasn't for us ... you would be speaking German'
17:53 , Gustaf KilanderAs he has claimed previously, Trump said the U.S. is the country that won World War II, but doesn’t celebrate it, when he was asked about his upcoming military parade.
“We're the only country that didn't celebrate the victory, and we're the one that won the war,” he said.
“If it wasn't for us ... you would be speaking German right now .... you might be speaking Japanese too,” he said. “I mean, you might be speaking a combination of both.”
Trump says Americans can expect further immigration raids
17:43 , Gustaf KilanderTrump said Americans should expect further immigration raids across the country.
“We're moving murderers out of our country that were put here by Biden,” said Trump.
“The people are criminals that allow these criminals into our country. And I don't think that Biden knew what the hell he was doing. I don't think he even knew about it,” he added.
Hegseth'stale talking points with no actual plans'
17:40 , Gustaf KilanderThe digital media director of the liberal Super PAC and opposition research group American Bridge 21st Century, Kelsie Taggart, criticised Hegseth for “stale talking points with no actual plans.”
This is why you don't pick TV hosts to run the DOD— it's all stale talking points with NO actual plans or policy for the future. https://t.co/pqFzf1tHdd
— Kelsie Taggart (@kelsientaggart) June 10, 2025
Trump says he spoke to Newsom 'a day ago'
17:35 , Gustaf KilanderTrump said he spoke to California Governor Gavin Newsom “a day ago.”
“Called him up to tell him, got to do a better job,’ said Trump.
“He's doing a bad job, causing a lot of death and a lot of potential death, if we didn't send out the National Guard ... Los Angeles would be burning right now,” he claimed.
Trump says he may invoke Insurrection Act
17:32 , Gustaf KilanderTrump was asked in the Oval Office on Tuesday if he plans on invoking the Insurrection Act in relation to the protests in California.
“If there's an insurrection, I would certainly invoke it,” the president said. “I can tell you last night was terrible. The night before that was terrible.”
He added that people “were taking that concrete, going up on bridges and dropping it into the roof of a car. They were throwing it at our police. They were throwing it at our soldiers.”
“These are paid insurrectionists. These are paid troublemakers. They get money,” Trump claimed without providing any evidence.
Hegseth criticized for prioritizing 'prayer meetings, workouts, book banning, and travel'
17:20 , Gustaf KilanderArmy combat veteran and podcast host Fred Wellman took to X to criticise Hegseth for appearing at the “budget hearing with all of his usual bull**** talking points but none of the actual budget. He hasn’t bothered.”
“His priority is prayer meetings, workouts, book banning, and travel. He does videos in his office but none of the actual boring work of a Cabinet Secretary,” he added.
WATCH: Hegseth slammed for sharing military plans in Signal group chat
17:00 , Gustaf KilanderRep. @rosadelauro (D-CT) to @SecDef Hegseth: "Your tenure as secretary has been marked by endless chaos…Your careless sharing of military secrets in a non-secure Signal chat, which could have placed American airman in danger led to the firing of National Security Advisor Waltz." pic.twitter.com/0oqdzF17HM
— CSPAN (@cspan) June 10, 2025
Hegseth refuses to reveal cost of LA deployment
16:44 , Gustaf KilanderHegseth refused to reveal the cost of the deployment of troops to Los Angeles, instead delegating the question to his special assistant, Bryn MacDonnell.
"The current estimated cost is $134 million, which is largely just TDY cost, travel, housing, food, etc,” she said.
Follow The Independent’s live blog on the protests in Los Angeles here
Earlier during the hearing, he said, “Thankfully, unlike the previous administration, we've got a 13 percent increase in our defense budget, and we will have the capability to cover down on contingencies, which is something the National Guard and the Marines plan for.”
“The $961.6 billion budget request, over 1 trillion for national security, will end four years of chronic underinvestment in our military,” he also said.
Marine Commandant says troops sent to LA has received crowd control training
16:38 , Gustaf KilanderMarine Commandant Gen. Eric Smith has testified to the Senate Armed Services Committee that the 700 Marines being deployed to Los Angeles have received training in crowd control.
Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal said he was "deeply worried" that their deployment increased the possibility of lethal force being used.
Follow The Independent’s live blog on the protests in Los Angeles here
"I have great faith in my Marines,” said Smith, dismissing such concerns.
Smith noted that the Marines are not able to make arrests but will support law enforcement in protecting federal property and personnel.
Hegseth says Trump admin has 'very different view' of Ukraine war
16:21 , Gustaf KilanderAsked about support for the Ukraine security assistance initiative, Hegseth said there will be a “reduction in this budget.”
“This administration takes a very different view of that conflict,” he added. “We believe a negotiated, peaceful settlement is in the best interest of both parties and our nation's interests, especially with all the competing interests around the globe.”
“I don't think the word victory has been well defined, or the path to it, and as a result, a path to peace that stops the killing and the carnage is something that President Trump is very invested in,” said the secretary.
'If they wanted to get a woke indoctrination, they could just go to college'
16:10 , Gustaf KilanderRep. Mario Diaz-Balart asked with a sarcastic tone, “Are you telling me that the folks that are now” committing “to the country are not upset that they're not able to use different pronouns?”
“Is that not a priority for the folks that are now signing up for our military?” he added.
“Well, sir, if they wanted to get a woke indoctrination, they could just go to college,” said Hegseth. “Instead, they're joining the military, where we're focused on the basics. We know men are men, women are women.”
He added: “Standards will be high, and we're getting rid of the distractions, the ideologies, the politicization that was in our ranks, so that soldiers, men and women, can do their jobs on behalf of the nation.”
Hegseth claims Trump is reason for recruitment rise
16:06 , Gustaf KilanderHegseth claimed a rise in recruitments to the armed forces was because of “historic” support among young people for President Donald Trump.
“What changed is the commander in chief that America's young people believe in. President Trump was elected in November, inaugurated in January, and at first I called it the Trump bump,” said Hegseth. “But then it became clear that's not enough. This is a tsunami of support amongst young Americans who want to serve under a president who they know has their back, who will fund them properly, who will not use them unnecessarily, and will make sure they are part of deterrence for the country with a focus first and foremost on the homeland.”
In Pictures: Hegseth testifies to House Subcommittee
15:55 , Gustaf Kilander
Rep. Kaptur shares concerns of use of 'warrior ethos'
15:41 , Gustaf KilanderDemocratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur noted that she comes from “a family of combat veterans going back a long time.”
“When I hear warrior ethos, and I hear it a lot from you, Mr. Secretary, I'm concerned,” she told Hegseth.
“All the soldiers in our family, all of whom fought and received medals for their combat service, call themselves soldiers,” she added.
DeLauro slams Hegseth for lack of 'details'
15:32 , Gustaf KilanderRep. Rosa DeLauro lost her temper as she tried to get “details” from Hegseth regarding defense spending.
“What is your plan for the future?” she asked as she raised her voice. “Can we get that in writing and on paper so that we know where you're going?”
“Because we don't have anything today, we have zip nada, and knowing where you're going — You could talk percentages, you can talk about whatever you want, but unless this Committee sees dollars and cents and where you're going and what your plan is, then we may reconsider what you need to do to go forward,” she said.
Hegseth refers back to George Floyd protests when defending LA deployment
15:25 , Gustaf KilanderHegseth defended the deployment of troops in LA by referring back to the confrontations between police and protesters in Minnesota following the murder of George Floyd in 2020.
He blasted Governor Tim Walz for not calling in the National Guard sooner and for “abandoning” a police precinct.
Hegseth notes 13 percent budget increase when pressed on LA deployment
15:22 , Gustaf KilanderRep. McCollum pressed Hegseth for answers regarding the budget in relation to the deployment to LA, with Hegseth saying that “thankfully, unlike the previous administration, we've got a 13 percent increase in our defense budget, and we will have the capability to cover down on contingencies, which is something the National Guard and the Marines plan for.”
Hegseth pressed on budgetary consequences of LA deployment
15:18 , Gustaf KilanderRep. Betty McCollum asked Hegseth about the deployment of Marines to Los Angeles.
“Los Angeles County has 17,000 law enforcement personnel, and the state of California has 24,000 National Guard troops,” she noted.
“There’s no need for the Marines to be deployed,” she added.
“What is the current cost for what is taking place in California, and how is it going to affect this budget or the budget we're currently serving under?” she asked. “How much are these deployments going to cost for both the Marines and the National Guard, and what training or duties are not taking place because of these deployments, where in your limited budget, Sir, are you going to find in the remainder of this fiscal year, are you going to pull the money to cover these deployments? What holes are being created?”
“In Los Angeles, we believe that ICE, which is a federal law enforcement agency, has the right to safely conduct operations in any state and any jurisdiction in the country, especially after 21 million illegals have crossed our border under the previous administration,” said Hegseth.
Hegseth praises 'our friends at DOGE'
15:12 , Gustaf KilanderQuestioning begins with Hegseth saying that “a review led by myself, the Deputy Secretary of Defense, our friends at DOGE, who've worked with us, have helped us look and identify places where we might find efficiencies.”
“My hands are directly in the middle of that to ensure that as we seek those efficiencies and reduce those redundancies, we're not doing so in a way that undermines our capability,” he added.
Hegseth says US 'squandered' military advantage
15:01 , Gustaf KilanderThe defense secretary argued that the proposed Republican budget “provides a historic level of funding for military readiness, putting our war fighters and their needs first.”
“We're rebuilding our military,” said Hegseth. “Twenty-five years ago, our military was unchallenged, yet we squandered that advantage as China carried out an unprecedented military buildup. President Trump is correcting those mistakes.”
Hegseth lauds Trump admin investment in military
14:57 , Gustaf KilanderHegseth said during his opening statement that “under President Trump's leadership, this budget puts America first and gives our warriors what they need.”
“The $961.6 billion budget request, over 1 trillion for national security, will end four years of chronic underinvestment in our military,” he added.
'The lawlessness across the government must end,' Rep. DeLauro says
14:55 , Gustaf KilanderDemocratic Rep. Rosa DeLauro slammed the administration during her opening statement, saying that “The American people expect, deserve, and demand better from their military leadership, and the lawlessness across the government must end.”
“This administration has unlawfully dismantled agencies and stolen funding across the government to give billionaires a tax break,” she added. “America's future soldiers are learning in our public schools. Our future sailors might rely on Medicaid to see a doctor. Our future airmen and women might only have a meal to eat because of SNAP or food stamps, or they may live in subsidized housing.”
Opening statements underway
14:52 , Gustaf KilanderRep Tom Cole told Hegseth that he would like to hear more about “your plans for Golden Dome, hypersonics, and other programs that are evolving with the constantly changing nature of war.”
“I don't want you or your colleagues at the Department of Defense to have to operate under [a continuing resolution] again for the coming year. I know the difficulties that places on you,” he added. “Every member of this committee knows that you've got my commitment.”
Welcome to The Independent’s live blog on the congressional hearing of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
