Hegseth caught in heated exchanges during Senate testimony

[0:00] On Capitol Hill, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has wrapped his testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing. [0:05] They talked about multiple topics, including budget, policy, and, of course, deployment of the National Guard in Los Angeles. [0:12] Here is a notable exchange between Hegseth and Senator Alyssa Slotkin. [0:16] Do they have the ability, the uniformed military, to arrest and detain protesters currently today? [0:25] It's a yes or no thing. Authority. [0:27] It's sort of amusing the extent to which the speculation is out there. [0:31] These troops are given very clear orders. [0:34] Then what is the order? Then list it out for us. Be a man. List it out. [0:38] Did you authorize them to detain or arrest? That is a fundamental issue of democracy. [0:43] I'm not trying to be a snot here. I'm just trying to get the actual. Did you authorize them to do that? [0:48] All of these orders and what they're sent there to do are public. [0:52] So say it. So say it. Yes or no? [0:56] I'd like to. [0:57] Please. Yes or no? [0:58] As I've said time and time again through interruption, they're there to protect law enforcement, ICE officers who are trying to do their job deporting illegals who were allowed in by the previous administration. [1:09] So they cannot arrest and detain citizens of the United States, the uniformed military. [1:13] Is that right? [1:14] As we've stated, if necessary, in their own self-defense, they could temporarily detain and hand over to ICE. [1:20] But there's no arresting going on. And you know this better than if you're trying to play political games, there's no arresting of U.S. personnel. [1:29] Heated exchange there. Also, top of mind is, of course, this ongoing conflict in the Middle East. [1:35] Here's what Mr. Hegseth had to say when pressed about potential U.S. involvement or deepening involvement in that conflict between Israel and Iran. [1:42] Most of what I can or should say would be reserved for a classified setting. [1:48] I would say the president, obviously, any decisions on this matter are at the presidential level. [1:55] He has communicated very clearly for quite some time. [1:58] I do understand that, Mr. Secretary. [2:00] But my question for you is whether you have been asked actively to provide options for the president regarding a strike in the Middle East. [2:09] If I had or I had not, I wouldn't disclose that in this forum, Senator. [2:14] My job, our job, the chairman and I, at all times, is to make sure the president has options [2:19] and is informed of what those options might be and what the ramifications of those options might be. [2:24] I appreciate that. Thank you. [2:25] You mentioned the troops in the region. [2:27] With maximum force protection at all times is being maintained. [2:30] So let's get to CBS News congressional correspondent Nicole Killian. [2:34] What else stood out to you at that hearing? [2:36] Yeah, well, the secretary was pressed multiple times with respect to Iran, both from some Democrats and Republicans, [2:44] although most of the questions came from the Democratic side of the aisle on this. [2:47] But, look, the secretary continued to insist that ultimately this is a decision that rests with the president. [2:55] We, too, did try to ask the secretary as he arrived here to Capitol Hill this morning [3:01] whether or not the U.S. would get involved in this conflict between Israel and Iran [3:06] and, more specifically, whether or not he, as secretary, would direct U.S. military assets to strike Iranian nuclear facilities. [3:15] But, again, as you can see, he just kind of walked by and didn't answer our questions there. [3:19] Now, to his point that he made in the hearing, there is also a classified session with members of the Senate Armed Services Committee. [3:27] So some members of that committee told me that they do hope to get more information in that setting [3:33] to glean more insight into the president's thinking and the administration's thinking on this [3:38] because, to date, at least one member of the Senate Armed Services Committee told me they have gotten no briefings on this whatsoever [3:46] and said that if the president were to consider any potential military action, [3:50] not only do many members of the panel believe that he should seek congressional approval, [3:54] but that he should also go through the steps of making sure he's consulting with allies, [3:58] communicating directly with the American people on this. [4:01] That is what Senator Mark Kelly told us earlier today. [4:04] So those are some of the questions that lawmakers are seeking. [4:09] But, by and large, in addition to Iran, Israel, of course, this hearing also touched quite a bit on the use of military here at home [4:16] with respect to those protests, as well as the secretary and the president's recent announcement [4:22] to change the names of several military bases around the country back to their confederate names. [4:29] So that was something that was also a flashpoint at times during this hearing. [4:33] All right. So from military matters to money matters, the reconciliation bill, [4:37] President Trump's chief of staff, Susie Wiles, is on the Hill today. [4:40] Is this a sign of progress made to finalize that bill? [4:44] Well, look, you know, the administration and the president has made clear that he wants this bill on his desk by the July 4th holiday. [4:53] So really, in terms of the chief of staff, Susie Wiles, being on the Hill right now, [4:57] briefing Republican senators, you know, this is to kind of light a fire under their feet, if you will. [5:03] Obviously, we just saw the final portions of text of this package with respect to the tax portions of the package, [5:10] the Medicaid portions of the package, which differ from the House version. [5:13] And so that has given some senators pause. [5:17] But still, in talking to Majority Leader John Thune earlier today, [5:21] he has made clear that he wants to hold a vote on this package as soon as next week. [5:27] Nicole, I'm going to put you on the spot and ask you to look over your shoulder there, [5:30] just to punctuate for our viewers how close up you are to lawmakers. [5:33] Is that Senator Elizabeth Warren there behind you? [5:35] That is, she is doing an interview with another network, but I would also note there's Senator Cornyn on this side. [5:43] You probably can't see him. [5:45] We had Senator Shaheen over here earlier. [5:47] So this is where everybody does their hits. [5:49] They do their interviews. [5:51] So not an unusual sighting to see lawmakers here in this setting. [5:56] Yep. [5:56] And you had it first with Pete Hegseth there in the hallway this morning. [6:01] We appreciate you, Nicole Killian. [6:02] Always looking over your shoulder as well to see who's talking. [6:04] Thank you so much.