Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth laughed when asked if he had authorized the military to use lethal force against protesters, refusing to give a direct answer.
As Slotkin scolded Hegseth for laughing, he asked what the question was based on.
"He had more guts and balls than you," Slotkin told Hegseth.
"Because he said, 'I'm not going to send in the uniformed military to do something that I know in my gut isn't right.'".
"Senator, I'd be careful what you read in books and believing it," Hegseth deflected, adding, "Except for the Bible."
The lawlessness of this regime is a threat to all of us. pic.twitter.com/lOyRNDvHsU — Senator Mazie Hirono (@maziehirono) June 18, 2025.
"I don't believe district courts should be determining national security policy," Hegseth replied. »