Lawmakers seek legal and budgetary details after Pentagon deploys Guard and Marines to Los Angeles and the southern border

Senators on the Appropriations subcommittee pressed Department of Defense leaders to explain the legal authority, funding source and operational scope for recent domestic deployments of national guard units and Marines.

Why it matters: Members expressed concern about domestic use of military forces, how deployments are paid for while the department operates under a continuing resolution, and the limits of DoD authority for supporting law enforcement.

What happened

- Several senators asked directly whether the active duty forces and National Guard mobilizations operating in Los Angeles and at the southern border had proper legal authority and whether the costs were being charged to DoD or reimbursed by the Department of Homeland Security. Senator Reid and Senator Murray cited figures ranging from 11,000 to 13,000 personnel supporting border operations; witnesses corrected the number to 13,000 in one exchange.

- Senator Reid asked whether the department authorized DHS to use military drones and whether DoD intended to authorize military forces to detain or arrest American citizens. Secretary Hegseth answered that the mobilizations and authorizations were lawful and constitutional and that the execution was “to defend law enforcement officers.”

- Senator Baldwin requested the specific statutory or constitutional authority for deploying active‑duty Marines to neighborhoods in California. The witness said the department’s office of general counsel had reviewed and concluded the orders were constitutional and promised to provide the specific authority to the committee.

Discussion vs. direction vs. decision

- Discussion: Senators debated the propriety and precedent for active‑duty troops and National Guard deployment for domestic law enforcement support, and whether the department had followed required processes.

- Direction/assignment: Witnesses agreed to follow up with the committee and provide the relevant legal citation(s) and documentation about the mobilization orders and the memorandum of understanding governing DoD support.

- Formal decisions: None recorded at the hearing.

Quotes

Senator Reid pressed: "Are you prepared to authorize DHS to use drones and also to authorize military forces to detain or arrest American citizens?"

Secretary Hegseth replied: "Every authorization we've provided the national guard, and the Marines in Los Angeles is under the authority of the president of The United States is lawful and constitutional."

Clarifying details

- Senators referenced an initial order of 2,000 National Guard in California followed by a follow‑on order for an additional 2,000 for Los Angeles; committee members said DHS had requested more than 20,000 national guard to support interior immigration efforts.

- Committee members asked whether DoD is paying for operations while under a CR; witnesses said DoD had paid for some expenditures and that some costs would be reimbursed in coordination with DHS, and that FY26 budget materials would address replenishment in next year’s request.

Community relevance

- Geographies mentioned: Los Angeles; southern border; individual states providing guard units; members asked for local documentation and MOU language so the committee could review scope and limits.

Provenance

- The topic appeared in multiple exchanges beginning when the committee took up issues of readiness and domestic use of forces and concluded with commitments to provide the orders and funding details for the record.