Tensions boiled over during a House Armed Services Committee hearing on Thursday, as Pete Hegseth, the U.S. Secretary of Defense, found himself facing sharp criticism from Rep. Salud Carbajal, a Democrat from California. Carbajal, visibly frustrated with Hegseth’s dismissive behavior and responses, called the defense secretary an “embarrassment” to the United States and demanded he “get the hell out” of the Department of Defense.
The scathing remarks followed a series of exchanges during which Hegseth brushed off critical questions from Carbajal, including what the lawmaker deemed a “silly question” about political loyalty.
The contentious hearing was centered around the Department of Defense’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget request, which Hegseth was presenting to lawmakers. However, the discussion quickly veered into tense exchanges when Carbajal began asking questions regarding the deployment of the National Guard and U.S. Marines to Los Angeles, a move that was part of efforts to quell anti-ICE protests that had turned violent.
Carbajal, eager for straightforward answers, began with a series of yes-or-no questions, but Hegseth’s responses led to escalating frustration on both sides.
Carbajal opened with a pointed question, asking whether the National Guard and Marines had been ordered to “protect property by any means necessary.” He labeled the deployment as “political theater” and sought a simple answer. Hegseth, responding with a defense of the operation, explained that the security forces had the authority to protect federal officers from attack, but when Carbajal pressed for a direct “yes or no” answer, the tension intensified.
Hegseth, frustrated with the approach, explained that the situation was not as simple as the congressman portrayed it.
“Let’s call it for what it is. It's political theater. Hegseth, are the Marines in Los Angeles ordered to protect property by any means necessary?” Carbajal challenged him.
“Sir, I would say the ICE officers and police officers being attacked is not political theater,” Hegseth retorted. But when Carbajal insisted on a yes-or-no answer, the exchange became even more combative. At one point, Carbajal, exasperated, remarked, “Kindergartners can give me a yes or no.”
He then shifted to a broader question about political loyalty: “Do you think political allegiance to Trump is a requirement for serving our nation, either in uniform or a civilian in the department?”
Hegseth’s response, however, only stoked the flames of disagreement. “Congressman, you know what a silly question that is,” he said dismissively, pushing Carbajal to a breaking point.
In a sharp outburst, Carbajal fired back, “You know what? I’m not going to waste my time anymore. You're not worthy of my attention or my questions. You're an embarrassment to this country. You're unfit to lead. And there's been bipartisan members of Congress that have called for your resignation. You should just get the hell out and let somebody competently lead this department.”
The heated exchange was a stark display of the political and ideological divide in Washington, particularly surrounding the Trump administration’s approach to military and national security matters. Hegseth’s defenders, however, argue that the confrontation was a result of Carbajal’s inability to engage in constructive dialogue, instead resorting to personal attacks.
Critics of the Democrat’s line of questioning contend that Hegseth was doing his job by staying focused on broader security issues, particularly in the face of politically motivated protests and unrest.
In his opening statement at the hearing, Hegseth made clear his unwavering commitment to President Trump’s “America First” approach. The defense secretary emphasized that the proposed $961 billion defense budget would put American interests at the forefront and would ensure that U.S. military forces were better equipped to meet modern challenges.
Hegseth highlighted the importance of addressing years of underinvestment in the military, which he argued had led to a need for urgent reform.
“Under President Trump's leadership, this budget puts America first and gives our warriors what they need,” Hegseth said. “The $961 billion budget request — more than 1 trillion in total for national security — ends four years of chronic underinvestment in our military.”
Hegseth framed the budget proposal as part of a larger effort to restore a strong military ethos, one that focuses on “war fighting, lethality, meritocracy, standards, and readiness.” He also touted the elimination of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, replacing them with what he described as a more merit-based, colorblind, and gender-neutral approach.
According to Hegseth, these changes had contributed to increased recruitment and retention in the military, with more young Americans signing up than in decades.
“DEI is dead. We replaced it with a colorblind, gender-neutral, merit-based approach,” Hegseth declared. “Our forces are responding incredibly to these changes. Because of President Trump and his America First priorities, recruitment and retention under this administration are higher than they've been in decades.”
The defense secretary also expressed optimism about the growing contributions from U.S. allies to global defense efforts, particularly within NATO. He emphasized the importance of continued international investment in defense and military readiness, with a specific call for NATO allies to commit 5% of their GDP to defense, a goal that Hegseth credited to Trump’s leadership in pushing NATO countries to invest more in their own defense capabilities.
“We applaud allies who are stepping up, but others need to do more, and they need to do it quickly,” Hegseth said. “At the NATO heads of state meeting later this month, we expect our NATO allies to commit to 5% of GDP on defense and defense-related investments, something that was almost inconceivable before President Trump led the charge in his first administration and continues in this one.”
However, the hearing’s contentious nature and the public fallout with Carbajal have only added to the ongoing debate about Hegseth’s leadership and his approach to national security. While his supporters praise his unapologetic stance on the military’s priorities and his adherence to Trump’s vision, critics like Carbajal view his attitude and responses as emblematic of a larger issue within the Trump administration — one of disrespect for established norms of governance and the rule of law.
The calls for Hegseth’s resignation, though mostly isolated within the Democratic ranks, underscore a growing rift in Washington over military priorities, political loyalty, and the direction of U.S. defense policy. As the fiscal year 2026 budget discussions continue, Hegseth’s handling of these issues will remain a focal point for both his supporters and detractors.
For now, it remains unclear whether the mounting pressure will force Hegseth to reconsider his position or if he will continue to push forward with the president’s military agenda, unyielding to the political storm brewing around him.
