The Secretary of Defense, Pete Heghseth, faced some Democratic senators when he was roasted at a Congress audience on Wednesday about the latest military actions of the Trump administration.
The former Fox News host, who faced a contentious confirmation hearing, entered an achadowed exchange before the Senate’s armed services committee with Senator Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., Who interrogated him about the authority of the military to arrest and stop the protesters.
Senator Elissa Slotkin questions Secretary of Defense Pete Hegesh during an armed services committee of the Senate, on June 18, 2025 in Washington.
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“It’s funny about which speculation is,” Hegseth said.
“So what is the request? So, list for us. Tell us for us. Be a man. Did he authorize them to stop or arrest?” Slotkin, a former CIA analyst who served in Iraq, said.
The senator interrogated Hegesh about the possibility of an order granted for the military to use lethal force against protesters.
“I’m just asking the question. Don’t laugh,” Slotkin said after Hegseth touched the question.
“What is that based on?” Hegseth replied. “What evidence do you have to give that order?”
The Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegesh, answers a question by Senator Elissa Slotkin while testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee, on June 18, 2025 in Washington.
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Slotkin replied that his predecessor, Mark Esper, did not accept such order during the first administration. She cited the waiting memories, where she said that Trump asked if the military could shoot the protesters who demonstrated in the streets during George Floyd’s protests of 2020.
“I had more guts and balls than you because he said, I’m not going to send a uniformed army to do something that I know in my entrance is not right … You’re doing this,” said the senator.
Hegseth testified that there was “zero indication that an order was given to shoot the protesters and that has not happened.”
But when she asked if the troops could use force against unarmed civilians, Hegseth did not say it.
“I would be careful what you read in books and believe it. Except for the Bible,” he said.
Hegseth responded similarly when asked by Senator Jacky Rosen, D-Ariz, previously at the audience.
Rosen asked about the layoffs of several senior national security officials, including the director of the National Security Agency, General Timothy Haugh, who allegedly were made at the request of the influential social networks of extreme right Laura Loura Loure.
“It has been denounced even by the Republicans, and the idea is that any leader within our agency responsible for the security of our nation, someone will be fired based on the council of an influencer of social networks,” Rosen said.
Hegesh reiterated that the panel should not “believe everything you read in the media.”
Defense Secretary Pete Hegesh testifies to the Senate Armed Services Committee, on June 18, 2025 in Washington.
Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images
“I do not talk about who is talking about with anything, but ultimately, this is my decision and he serves at the pleasure of the president and that is why he is no longer there,” he said.
“Do you think it is appropriate for social networks to influence personnel decisions in their department, yes or no?” Rosen asked. The weather then expired. The president left a moment for Hegseth to answer the question, as witnesses do often after a legislator has asked his final question.
Hegseth received a rhythm and said: “I think your time is over.”
Rosen pushed back.
“Oh, it does not depend on telling me when time is. I will say that Mr. Secretary is not very insignificant or complicit. He does not have control of his department,” he replied. “You [are] insertious. … I return and I don’t appreciate the smile, Lord. You are the Secretary of Defense. “
