Fact Check: Slotkin confronts Hegseth over military orders to detain protesters in Los Angeles.

Fact Check: "Slotkin confronts Hegseth over military orders to detain protesters in Los Angeles."

What We Know

During a recent Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) engaged in a heated exchange with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth regarding military orders related to protests in Los Angeles. Slotkin specifically questioned whether Hegseth had authorized military personnel to "detain or arrest protesters" amid immigration protests occurring in the city. Hegseth did not provide a direct answer to her inquiries, stating that the troops were deployed to support law enforcement and ICE officers, not to engage with protesters directly (Detroit News, PBS).

Slotkin also referenced past comments from former Defense Secretary Mark Esper, who indicated that during the Trump administration, there were discussions about using military force against protesters, including a suggestion to "shoot them in the legs" (Detroit News, The Hill). This context adds complexity to Slotkin's questioning, as it implies a historical precedent for military engagement with civilian protests.

Analysis

The claim that Slotkin confronted Hegseth over military orders to detain protesters is substantiated by multiple sources. The exchange was characterized by Slotkin's insistence on clarity regarding military orders, particularly in light of past discussions about the use of force against protesters. Hegseth's responses were evasive, as he did not confirm or deny whether such orders had been given, which has led to public speculation and concern about the militarization of domestic law enforcement (PBS, HuffPost).

The reliability of the sources is generally high, as they include reputable news outlets and official transcripts from the Senate hearing. However, the interpretation of Hegseth's lack of a direct answer could vary depending on the political biases of the reporting outlets. For instance, while some sources emphasize the gravity of Slotkin's questions and the implications of military involvement in civilian protests, others may downplay the significance of Hegseth's non-answers (Detroit News, The Hill).

Conclusion

The claim that Slotkin confronted Hegseth over military orders to detain protesters in Los Angeles is Partially True. While Slotkin did indeed question Hegseth about the potential for military orders to detain protesters, Hegseth's responses were ambiguous and did not provide a clear confirmation or denial of such orders. The context of the exchange, particularly referencing past military orders under the Trump administration, adds weight to Slotkin's concerns but does not definitively prove that current orders exist. Thus, the claim captures the essence of the confrontation but lacks complete clarity regarding the existence of specific orders.

Fact Check: Slotkin confronts Hegseth over military orders to detain protesters in Los Angeles.