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By Hannah Parry
Associate News Editor
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said at a Senate hearing on Wednesday that "we'll see" if the Trump administration will follow the Supreme Court's decision on military deployment in U.S. cities.
Hegseth was testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee about the Pentagon's budget request on Wednesday, when he was asked by Hawaii Senator Mazie Hirono, "If a court says this deployment of troops in cities is not legal, would you follow that?"
"I don't believe district courts should be determining national security policy," Hegseth responded.
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"When it goes to the Supreme Court, we'll see."
Why It Matters
The comment came during a contentious hearing, part of a series of Hill appearances by Hegseth this month amid growing backlash over President Donald Trump's use of federal military forces to quell domestic protests.
The exchange followed weeks of legal challenges to the Trump administration's deployment of 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to Los Angeles to support federal agents responding to protests sparked by a crackdown on undocumented immigrants.
What To Know
During the hearing, Hegseth said that the Trump administration would comply with a Supreme Court order to pull federal troops from U.S. cities, clarifying earlier remarks that questioned the judiciary's role in national security decisions.
"If the Supreme Court orders you to remove troops from American cities, will you do so?" asked Senator Elizabeth Warren, a Massachusetts Democrat.
"If the Supreme Court rules on a topic, we will abide by that," Hegseth said.
Earlier, he had argued, "Local district judges shouldn't make foreign policy for the United States."
...
When questioned by Representative Sarah Elfreth, a Democrat from Maryland, Hegseth restated the administration's stance: "We're not here to defy a Supreme Court ruling," as reported by Defense News.
The Pentagon estimates the deployments will last 60 days and cost $134 million. Critics argue that the action violates the Posse Comitatus Act, which restricts military involvement in domestic law enforcement unless the president invokes the Insurrection Act. Trump has not done so.
Hegseth defended the action as preventative.
"If there are other riots in places where law enforcement officers are threatened, we would have the capability to surge National Guard there if necessary," he said.
The hearing coincided with the Supreme Court's decision to uphold Tennessee's ban on gender-affirming care for minors, a 6-3 ruling with all six conservative justices in the majority.
Hegseth also drew criticism over his decision to restore the names of military bases originally named for Confederate officers.
"What we're looking at is erasing history," he said during questioning. Senator Tim Kaine, a Democrat from Virginia, criticized Hegseth for failing to consult families whose relatives had been honored with the newer base names.
Hegseth also addressed rising tensions with Iran, defending the administration's pressure campaign on Tehran.
"They had an opportunity to make a deal. They should have made a deal," he said. "President Trump's word means something. The world understands that."
Asked whether the military is preparing to support Israeli operations against Iran, Hegseth refused to discuss plans in open session. "Any decisions on this matter are at the presidential level," he said.
What People Are Saying
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in a congressional hearing last week: "The mission in Los Angeles, as you know well, sir, is not about lethality. It's about maintaining law and order on behalf of law enforcement agents who deserve to do their job without being attacked by mobs of people."
California Governor Gavin Newsom, on X (formerly Twitter), on June 9: "U.S. Marines serve a valuable purpose for this country—defending democracy. They are not political pawns. The Secretary of Defense is illegally deploying them onto American streets so Trump can have a talking point at his parade this weekend."
What Happens Next
Unless blocked by the courts, the Pentagon's deployment of troops to Los Angeles will continue for the planned 60 days.
Update 6/18/25, 12:54 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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