Hegseth Faces Pressure: Live Updates From Hearing On LA National Guard Deployment

James

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Post on Jun 13, 2025

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Hegseth Faces Pressure: Live Updates from Hearing on LA National Guard Deployment

Major General Kenneth Tovo's testimony casts a long shadow over the controversial deployment.

The California State Assembly is currently holding a hearing on the deployment of the National Guard during the 2020 protests in Los Angeles, and the spotlight is firmly on Adjutant General, Major General David Hegseth. Testimony from Major General Kenneth Tovo, the former Adjutant General, is painting a picture of questionable decision-making and a lack of transparency surrounding the controversial deployment. This live blog will provide updates as the hearing unfolds.

10:00 AM PST: The hearing begins with opening statements from Assembly members, many expressing concerns about the cost and effectiveness of the National Guard deployment. Several have publicly questioned the necessity of deploying such a large force, particularly given the lack of clear evidence of widespread violence or unrest justifying such a significant response. The focus is sharply on General Hegseth's leadership and decision-making process.

10:45 AM PST: Major General Kenneth Tovo takes the stand. His testimony reveals significant discrepancies between the official justifications for the deployment and the reality on the ground. He alleges that General Hegseth overstated the threat level to justify the deployment, claiming this inflated the need for National Guard resources. This directly contradicts previous statements made by General Hegseth. Tovo's testimony is detailed and compelling, painting a picture of a rushed and potentially politically motivated deployment.

11:30 AM PST: The questioning period begins. Assembly members are grilling General Tovo on specifics, focusing on communications between Hegseth and Governor Newsom's office. The line of questioning suggests a possible effort to influence the deployment decision based on political considerations rather than objective security needs. The atmosphere in the chamber is tense, with several pointed exchanges between Assembly members and General Tovo.

12:15 PM PST: A recess is called. The lunch break allows time for legal teams to prepare for the cross-examination of General Tovo. The testimony so far has been highly critical of General Hegseth's handling of the situation, raising serious questions about accountability and transparency within the California National Guard.

1:00 PM PST: The hearing resumes with the cross-examination of General Tovo. Hegseth's legal team is attempting to discredit Tovo's testimony, questioning his motives and the accuracy of his recollections. The exchange is highly technical and legalistic, focusing on details of communications and deployment orders.

2:00 PM PST: The focus shifts to financial aspects of the deployment. Testimony reveals significant cost overruns and questions about the appropriate allocation of National Guard funds. This adds another layer of scrutiny to General Hegseth's leadership. The lack of clear budgetary justification adds fuel to the criticisms of the deployment's necessity.

2:45 PM PST: The hearing is nearing its conclusion. The final statements from Assembly members reiterate concerns about accountability and transparency. The overall impression is that General Hegseth is facing significant pressure as a result of this hearing.

Key Takeaways:

• Questionable Justification: The hearing strongly suggests that the justification for the National Guard deployment may have been overstated.
• Lack of Transparency: Concerns regarding a lack of transparency in the decision-making process are central to the hearing.
• Political Influence?: The testimony raises concerns about potential political influence on the decision to deploy the National Guard.
• Financial Irregularities?: Questions surrounding the financial aspects of the deployment further add to the criticisms.

This hearing is far from over, and its implications for General Hegseth and the California National Guard remain to be seen. We will continue to update this live blog as the hearing progresses and further information becomes available. Check back for further developments.

Related Articles:

• [Link to a related article about National Guard deployments]
• [Link to a related article about California politics]

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