## Hegseth Laughs After Senator Pushes Him to Deny Ordering Military to Use 'Lethal Force' Against Protesters

Authored by latintimes.com

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. »

### With only 8% built, Texas quietly defunds state border wall program

Authored by keranews.org

That decision, made in the waning hours of this year’s legislative session, leaves the future of the state wall unclear.

State Sen. Joan Huffman, the state’s lead budget writer, confirmed to The Texas Tribune on Thursday that none of that money will go toward the wall.

He did not specifically comment on the border wall program, but said the military and public safety departments would carry on their border-related missions. »

### ‘HIV-ending’ drug could be made for just $25 per patient a year, say researchers

Authored by theguardian.com

Lenacapavir, given as a twice-yearly injection, can prevent someone from being infected with HIV, according to clinical trial results.

Dr Andrew Hill, one of the researchers, said making lenacapavir unaffordable in countries with HIV epidemics would only make things worse.

“Even high-income countries will not be able to afford wide scale use of lenacapavir at prices above $20,000 a year.”. »

### Trump is about to plunge America into another forever war

Authored by inews.co.uk

What a rollercoaster Donald Trump has taken us on in less than a week since Israel first stunned the world by launching its military strikes on Iran.

A billboard addressed to Trump in Tel Aviv on Wednesday after Israel and Iran continued missile exchanges overnight (Photo: Gil Cohen-Magen/AFP).

But for now, the US President’s sabre-rattling suggests a desire to get in on the action, and worry about a forever war later. »

### Some Democratic senators regret voting to confirm Kristi Noem as DHS secretary

Authored by nbcnews.com

WASHINGTON — Five days after President Donald Trump's inauguration, seven Senate Democrats voted to confirm Kristi Noem to lead the Department of Homeland Security.

Nearly five months later, most of them are critical of her, with some going as far as to say they regret their votes.

The two New Hampshire senators criticized Noem in statements provided by their offices without saying whether they stand by their votes. »

## In pictures

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