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• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testified before Congress on the fiscal 2026 Pentagon budget.
• Hegseth faced questions on the deployment of Marines and National Guard to Los Angeles.
• Lawmakers also scrutinized his use of non-secure messaging platforms and recent policy decisions.

Quick Brief

2-Minute Digest

Essential Context

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth appeared before Congress to discuss the fiscal 2026 military budget. His testimony came amid ongoing deployments of Marines and National Guard to Los Angeles, which have raised significant questions about budget allocations and operational readiness.

Core Players

• Pete Hegseth – Defense Secretary, former Fox News host, and Army veteran.
• Gen. Dan Caine – Joint Chiefs Chairman, recently appointed after Gen. CQ Brown’s dismissal.
• Donald Trump – President Trump who nominated Hegseth and made recent key military personnel changes.
• Congressional Appropriations and Armed Services Committees – Lawmakers scrutinizing the budget and Hegseth’s policies.

Key Numbers

• $134 million – Estimated cost of deploying the National Guard to Los Angeles.
• 10.5% – Additional pay raise for junior enlisted service members (E1 to E4) in 2025.
• February 2025 – Month when Gen. CQ Brown was fired by President Trump.

Full Depth

Complete Coverage

The Catalyst

Hegseth’s testimony was prompted by the need to discuss the fiscal 2026 military budget, but it quickly expanded to include other contentious issues. The deployment of Marines and National Guard to Los Angeles, which is estimated to cost $134 million, was a major point of discussion.

“We are ensuring [the troops] are housed, fed, and have the necessary capabilities in real time,” Hegseth said, addressing concerns about the conditions for the deployed troops.

Inside Forces

Hegseth has faced significant scrutiny since his confirmation, particularly over his use of non-secure messaging platforms and recent policy decisions. Democratic lawmakers have expressed concerns about the ending of outreach programs to women and minority recruits and the dismissals of multiple defense officials.

Gen. Dan Caine, the new Joint Chiefs Chairman, accompanied Hegseth during his testimony, marking his first appearance since taking over from Gen. CQ Brown.

Power Dynamics

The relationship between Hegseth and Congress remains tense. Lawmakers are pushing for more transparency on the president’s defense budget plan, which has yet to be fully released. Hegseth’s responses were often defensive, reflecting the broader power struggle between the executive branch and Congress.

“We need to press forward on the issue now to have any hope of reaching a funding deal by October,” lawmakers emphasized, highlighting the urgency of the budget discussions.

Outside Impact

The deployment of troops to Los Angeles has broader implications for national security and domestic law enforcement. The situation underscores the readiness and capabilities of the military in responding to domestic crises.

Additionally, the budget discussions will influence future military operations and the overall defense strategy, particularly in relation to deterring communist China and working with allies.

Future Forces

Looking ahead, the budget negotiations will be crucial for setting the military’s priorities for the next fiscal year. Key areas include investments in living conditions for troops, reforming the PCS (Permanent Change of Station) process, and improving defense healthcare.

• Historic investments in barracks and base housing.
• Reforming the PCS process to reduce costs and stress.
• Improving the quality of care provided by the defense healthcare system.

Data Points

• June 2025 – Hegseth testifies before Congress on the fiscal 2026 budget.
• February 2025 – Gen. CQ Brown was fired by President Trump.
• 2025 – 10.5% pay raise for junior enlisted service members (E1 to E4).
• $134 million – Estimated cost of deploying the National Guard to Los Angeles.