hegseth Avoids‍ Jan. 6 Guard Deployment Question Amid Budget Scrutiny

⁤ ‍ Updated June 11,2025
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Defense ⁣Secretary Pete‍ Hegseth faced questions Wednesday regarding the January 6th Capitol ‍attack and the deployment of ‍the National Guard,but he did not directly answer whether he supported the decision to activate the Guard that day. The exchange occurred during a budget subcommittee hearing, where Sen. Chris Murphy, ⁢D-Conn., voiced concerns about potential double standards in the ⁤management’s response to different protests.

Murphy ⁤highlighted President Donald Trump’s pardons for individuals involved in the Capitol attack and⁣ contrasted it with the deployment of the National Guard and Marines in response to other protests. He specifically asked Hegseth if he supported⁢ the National Guard being sent to defend the⁤ Capitol.

Hegseth responded by stating, “All I know is⁢ it’s the right decision to be deploying the ⁣National Guard in Los Angeles to defend ICE agents who deserve ⁣to be defended in the execution of their jobs.”

Murphy pressed Hegseth, emphasizing the importance of ‍demonstrating concern ⁣for all protests, irrespective of their political alignment. ‍Hegseth did not directly address the Jan. ‍6‍ question. Rather, he mentioned his own experience as part of the D.C. Army National Guard, noting that his orders to guard President Joe Biden’s inauguration where revoked due⁤ to what he characterized as “the politicization of the Biden administration.”

Following further questioning, Murphy stated that Hegseth’s response reinforced worries about a double ⁢standard, suggesting a willingness to defend against attacks on democracy by supporters of the president while deploying the National Guard against⁤ those ⁣criticizing the president.Hegseth has been a vocal defender ⁢of President trump’s militarized response to protests, including those related to federal immigration raids in los Angeles‍ and other cities. The National Guard deployment and budget scrutiny come as Hegseth faces pressure from lawmakers regarding the Defense Department fiscal year 2026 ⁢budget.

Hegseth told lawmakers on Tuesday⁢ that approximately 4,000 National Guard troops and hundreds of Marines are expected to⁤ remain in Los Angeles for 60 days, with‍ the mobilization costing⁣ the Defense Department an estimated $134 million, according to⁤ Bryn Woollacott MacDonnell, ⁣Hegseth’s ⁢acting comptroller.

What’s next

Lawmakers are expected to continue pressing Hegseth for further details⁢ regarding the Defense Department’s budget and the justification for troop deployments in various locations.