Congress to Question Hegseth on LA Marines, Budget, Signal Leaks/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faces intense congressional scrutiny over leaked military details, Marine deployment to Los Angeles, and extravagant Pentagon spending. Lawmakers are especially alarmed by his use of the Signal app and the lack of budget transparency. Hegseth’s leadership style and priorities face bipartisan skepticism in pivotal hearings this week.
Hegseth Congressional Testimony Quick Looks
- Hegseth faces three congressional hearings on military actions and leadership
- Lawmakers demand answers on Signal leak and LA Marine deployment
- $1 trillion defense budget still lacking detailed justification
- Pentagon criticized for lavish spending on jet, parade
- Deployment to LA raises legal concerns under Posse Comitatus
- Commandant Gen. Eric Smith testifies separately on related issues
- Hegseth prioritizes social agenda over global defense strategy
- Investigations probe Signal use, potential deletion of messages
- Marines in LA prompt concerns over cost, rules of engagement
- Democrats and Republicans question military spending transparency
Deep Look: Pete Hegseth Faces Congress Over Signal Leak and Military Deployments
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is preparing for what could be the most consequential week of his early tenure, as he appears before Congress amid rising scrutiny over his leadership decisions—from national defense spending to a communications blunder that leaked sensitive military plans.
Hegseth, who narrowly won Senate confirmation with a tie-breaking vote, faces three high-stakes hearings starting Tuesday. At the top of lawmakers’ lists: his use of the unsecured Signal messaging app to share information about U.S. military strikes and his controversial deployment of active-duty Marines to Los Angeles amid immigration protests.
Signal Leak Scandal: A Breach of Protocol
The Signal controversy erupted when Hegseth participated in a group chat set up by then-national security adviser Mike Waltz to coordinate upcoming U.S. strikes in Yemen. In a stunning breach of operational security, the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, Jeffrey Goldberg, was mistakenly added to the thread.
Though Waltz accepted responsibility, Hegseth came under bipartisan fire for his role in the chat and for using the same platform to discuss military matters with his wife and brother. The Defense Department’s inspector general is now investigating whether Hegseth or his aides attempted to delete any messages.
The lapse, involving an unclassified and unsecured app, has raised red flags among intelligence and defense communities. Lawmakers are expected to press Hegseth on what security protocols were violated and whether administrative or criminal accountability is forthcoming.
Los Angeles Marine Deployment: Legal and Fiscal Questions
Equally controversial is Hegseth’s decision to deploy 700 active-duty Marines to Los Angeles, where they are supporting over 4,100 National Guard members in response to escalating protests over immigration raids. The deployment, which involves troops trained for combat roles now operating in a domestic protest environment, has triggered concerns about legality, mission clarity, and cost.
Under the Posse Comitatus Act, U.S. military personnel are restricted from acting as domestic law enforcement. The Trump administration has not invoked the Insurrection Act, a rarely used provision that could legally justify the Marines’ presence. Without it, critics argue the Pentagon is operating in a legal gray zone.
Additionally, there’s little clarity on how much the operation will cost taxpayers. Lawmakers are demanding detailed accounting for the deployment, including logistics, overtime pay, and equipment maintenance.
Budget Delays and Spending Controversies
Congress is also frustrated by the lack of information about President Trump’s proposed $1 trillion defense budget—a massive increase from the current $800+ billion spending level. Hegseth has yet to provide a breakdown of spending priorities, drawing bipartisan concern over transparency and fiscal responsibility.
Specific line items have already attracted controversy. The Pentagon is planning to spend hundreds of millions retrofitting a Qatari jet to serve as Air Force One. Another budget allocation includes up to $45 million for a military parade coinciding with Trump’s birthday and the Army’s 250th anniversary—raising eyebrows about political motivations.
Hegseth has promoted these expenses as part of a morale-boosting strategy, but critics argue the spending is frivolous amid more pressing security needs.
Focus on Social Reform, Not Global Strategy
Since taking office, Hegseth has prioritized cultural reforms within the military over addressing global threats. He has actively worked to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, remove transgender service members, and fire what he calls “woke generals,” many of whom are women.
Recently, he ordered the renaming of a Navy ship that honored Harvey Milk, citing alignment with “warrior ethos” and presidential priorities.
Hegseth’s emphasis on internal military culture has come at the expense of broader strategic engagement. He made a brief appearance at a major security summit in Asia to address threats from China but skipped a key NATO meeting on Ukraine—fueling criticism that he’s neglecting U.S. leadership abroad.
Commandant Gen. Eric Smith Faces Simultaneous Scrutiny
At the same time as Hegseth’s testimony, Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Eric Smith will appear in a separate budget hearing. Lawmakers are expected to question him about the logistics and legality of the Marine deployment to Los Angeles, compounding the scrutiny facing the Pentagon this week.
Broader Implications and What Comes Next
Hegseth’s upcoming hearings are likely to shape perceptions of the Trump administration’s defense strategy moving forward. With the Pentagon under fire for its secrecy, lavish expenditures, and questionable legality in domestic deployments, Hegseth must answer whether the Department of Defense is straying from its core mission of protecting the nation while upholding democratic values.
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