The defense secretary annoyed Donald Trump with a favor for Elon Musk. Hegseth’s problems only grew from there.

The search is on for qualified officials who are both MAGA-friendly and willing to work with an unqualified defense secretary. It’s not going well.

Testimony comes after the Pentagon last month unveiled a “skinny budget” for fiscal 2026 with fewer details than typical.

Several California Democrats questioned Hegseth about the immigration raids that have roiled Los Angeles, the federal commandeering of the state’s National Guard and the deployment of Marines.

After persistent questioning about the cost of sending National Guard members and Marines to Los Angeles, Hegseth turned to his acting comptroller, Bryn Woollacott MacDonnell, who said it would cost $134 million. Hegseth defended Trump’s decision to send the troops, saying they are needed to protect federal agents as they do their jobs.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth appears to think he has ultimate power when it comes to immigration enforcement.

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth faced sharp questions from lawmakers over his decision to deploy troops to Los Angeles and the lack of a full defence budget from the Trump administration. Tensions arose around the cost of troop deployment and Hegseth's focus on domestic military use.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth fielded questions from lawmakers repeatedly seeking specific funding targets and often left them dissatisfied.

Pentagon learns from Ukraine but will cut funding Committee members pressed Hegseth on Ukraine’s surprise drone attack in early June that destroyed a large number of Russian bomber aircraft.

The defense secretary will be accompanied by Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine in his first post-confirmation testimony, as well. Caine replaced Gen. CQ Brown after the latter was fired by President Donald Trump in February for unspecified reasons.

Congressional Democrats condemned the review as casting doubt over the strength of America's alliances with Britain and Australia.