Rep. Tokuda Demands Answers from Secretary Hegseth on Shooting Protesters

Washington, DC - Today, at the House Armed Services Committee's Department of Defense Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Request Hearing, U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) demanded truthful answers from Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth about the possibility of firing at protesters in Los Angeles and across the nation.

"Mr. Secretary, during your confirmation hearing, you failed to deny the conclusion that you would carry out an order to shoot protesters in the legs. So let me be direct, given what we're seeing across the country right now, would you carry out or issue an order by the President for our military to fire upon protesters actively engaging in their civil right to exercise free speech, their First Amendment rights, would you give that order from the President?" asked Rep. Tokuda.

"I assume you're insinuating what's going on in Los Angeles," said Secretary Hegseth.

"Not just in Los Angeles, if you take a look at protests throughout the country, it's a simple question," said Rep. Tokuda.

"As you know and as this committee knows, we have standard rules of engagement that are in place that give guidance to our troops and they abide by them," said Secretary Hegseth.

"I'm asking what you would do," said Rep. Tokuda. "Again, you said you serve at the pleasure of the President, is that not true?"

"I do serve," said Secretary Hegseth.

"So if the President told you to shoot people in the legs, would you do so? Now, you failed to answer this question as well as at the confirmation hearing when asked by members of the Senate," said Rep. Tokuda.

"Because I refuse to accept a false hypothetical that's attempting to put me in a corner," said Secretary Hegseth.

"At a time when we have more Marines and National Guard in Los Angeles than we do in Syria and [Iraq] alone, I don't think this is a hypothetical. This is an actual situation that we are dealing with right now," said Rep. Tokuda.

Rep. Tokuda also grilled Secretary Hegseth about Elon Musk's invitation to a war briefing with China at the Pentagon.

Video of the hearing can be seen here.

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