Hegseth’s MAGA Performance for Donald Trump

 

Last week, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth testified before three congressional committees on the Department of Defense Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Request– a legally-required document that is four months overdue. Members of both parties questioned Hegseth about the administration’s politicization of the military, senseless personnel firings, lack of commitment to international alliances, and tepid support for Ukraine. Democrats pressed Hegseth on the deployment of the National Guard and the Marine Corps in California, Signalgate, and a range of President Trump’s most inane policies. Throughout his testimony, Hegseth lied, attacked the press, denigrated transgender servicemembers, avoided accountability, and further politicized the military to an unprecedented degree. 

Hegseth will testify in his final FY26 budget hearing on June 18 at 9:30 AM EST before the Senate Armed Services Committee. Here is a roundup of Hegseth’s most shocking moments over the course of his hearings so far:

  • Implied the Department of Defense has developed plans to invade Greenland and Panama. In response to questioning by Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA) and Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH), Hegseth repeatedly refused to deny the possibility that the Department of Defense maintains operational plans to conduct military invasions of two U.S. allies– Greenland and Panama. Contrary to what Hegseth suggested, the American people have no interest in forcefully taking over an allied nation. 

  • Refused to commit to abiding by federal court rulings. When pressed by Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) about whether he would abide by a ruling by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in a pending case on the National Guard deployment in Los Angeles, Hegseth refused to say he would abide by the court’s ruling. Instead, Hegseth asserted federal courts do not have the power to rule on issues relating to U.S. national security – which is patently false. Despite having the constitution tattooed on his body, it’s not clear Pete Hegseth has ever taken the time to read it closely. 

  • Claimed that he is above the law. In exchanges with Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA) and Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-CA) about his reckless Signal chats, Hegseth falsely and confusingly claimed that all communications by the Secretary of Defense are inherently classified and the Secretary is “authorized” to communicate in whichever manner he chooses. In truth, the Secretary of Defense is held to the same classification standards and regulations as every other government employee. Despite what he may claim, Pete Hegseth is not above the law. 

  • Further politicized the military. Rep. Pat Ryan (D-NY) questioned Chairman Caine and Secretary Hegseth about rules, regulations, and practice regarding political activities by military leaders. Hegseth defended Donald Trump’s campaign-like rally at Fort Bragg, suggesting the President should be allowed to give political speeches while wearing campaign merchandise at military installations if he chooses. This overt use of the military for political ends only further erodes the public’s trust in an historically apolitical institution. 

  • Continued to oppose women serving in military combat roles. In response to questions from Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), Hegseth refused to agree with the simple statement that women should have the opportunity to serve in all roles in the military. It seems Hegseth stands by his previous statements about women in combat, despite now being responsible for leading more than 230,000 women on active-duty. 

  • Refused to say the Trump Administration would uphold the U.S. commitment to NATO Article V. Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-FL) asked Hegseth if the Trump Administration would come to Europe’s defense if Russia were to attack a NATO country, and Hegseth dodged the question, only saying Article V is “real.” European capitals would agree that Article V was certainly “real” when the Allies came to the United States’ defense following 9/11. Hegseth’s testimony was a disturbing sign that Trump and his team have no qualms about abandoning our allies and, in turn, threatening American security.

  • Called for wasting U.S. taxpayer dollars on a border wall. In an exchange with Rep. Gabe Vasquez (D-NM), Hegseth demonstrated just how little he actually knows about the U.S.-Mexico border. Hegseth admitted there are parts of the border where a wall would be ineffective or impossible to build, but then doubled-down and called for a wall across the entire southern border. In the Trump Administration, there is no shame about wasting taxpayer dollars on vanity projects and political stunts.

Published: June 2025