Both Republicans and Democrats have used analysis from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office as a political cudgel when it suits them, but with unfavorable reviews of President Donald Trump's "one big, beautiful bill" coming out, some in the GOP are questioning the relevancy of the agency.The CBOs latest analysis of the gargantuan tax cut and spending package found that the House Republican-authored super bill would add $2.4 trillion to the national deficit over the next decade and boot millions off of health insurance.'HE'S NOT A BIG FACTOR': TRUMP'S SENATE ALLIES DISMISS ELON MUSK'S CALLS TO 'KILL THE BILL'Senate Republicans will now get their chance to tweak and change the legislation, and have vowed to do so, despite warnings from Trump to reshape the bill as little as possible.Congressional Republicans have largely scoffed at the agencys findings, arguing that the CBO doesnt include expected economic growth or other factors into its scoring of the bill."I don't care what the CBO says," Sen. Jim Banks, R-Ind., told Fox News Digital. "They're irrelevant to me. They were biased before. They've been biased in other things, but all the numbers speak for themselves."'GONE TOO FAR': GOP LAWMAKERS RALLY AROUND TRUMP AFTER MUSK RAISES EPSTEIN ALLEGATIONSThe agencys latest score found that the House's reconciliation offering would cut $1.2 trillion over a decade, add $2.4 trillion to the deficit and decrease revenues by $3.6 trillion. It also found that if the GOPs proposals to slash Medicaid stay as is, nearly 11 million people would be booted from their health care.That number cranks up to about 16 million Americans removed from the benefit rolls when factoring in Affordable Care Act provisions that are set to expire.However, the White House declared the CBO scores inaccurate, and argued that the package achieved, through a combination of spending cuts, reversing regulations ushered in by the Biden administration and tariffs which are not part of the bill roughly $6.6 trillion in savings over the next decade. Many raised issues with the agencys accuracy, arguing that they got the score wrong for Trumps 2017 tax package."I mean, I heard the numbers are always wrong," said Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Texas. "What's the purpose?"GOP SENATORS EXPRESS 'CONCERNS,' 'SKEPTICISM' OVER TRUMP'S SPENDING BILL AFTER MUSK RANTRep. Pat Fallon, R-Texas, agreed, and contended that it was "time to discuss the CBO being more damn accurate."Still, some Republicans believe the CBO serves a purpose.Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, said she didnt believe the agency should be done away with, adding "we need to have a source for scores.""We kind of go back and forth in terms of condemning CBO because we hate their score, or praising CBO because we like the outcome," she said. "And I think that's what we're seeing a lot of right now, is looking at that CBO score and saying, That's not real."Other lawmakers questioned what the alternative would be. Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., told Fox News Digital, "We need something," but acknowledged that he felt the agency was biased, and that both parties used scores "to our manipulation."Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., believes that the agencys score was wildly incorrect. Still, he is one of the main antagonists of the current bill because it does not go far enough to achieve deep spending cuts.The lawmaker told Fox News Digital that he believed the 50-year-old agency would soon be a relic of the past."I think just AI is gonna replace them," he said. "I'm using AI all the time to do the sensitivity analysis. I don't need CBO to do these sensitivity analyses anymore, I can do it myself."

President Donald Trump told Fox News that Iran has become "much more aggressive" in nuclear talks."Iran is acting much differently in negotiations than it did just days ago," Trump told Fox News' Bret Baier. "Much more aggressive. Its surprising to me. Its disappointing, but we are set to meet again tomorrow well see."Senior administration officials also told Fox News that Iran appears to be dragging negotiations on without concrete progress while pushing forward with its nuclear efforts.This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Democratic strategist Chuck Rocha lamented how the anti-ICE riots in Los Angeles are playing right into President Donald Trumps hands on Tuesday.Rocha, a Mexican-American and frequent CNN pundit, rebuked liberals protesting Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in Los Angeles during "CNN This Morning." He said that their demonstrations have gotten out of hand and are serving Trump."If this was about Immigration, and we were talking about how the system is broken and what ICE is doing right now, this protest would be warranted if it was doing that. But what this plays into and listen to me, Democrats right into Donald Trumps hand[s]," he declared.RIOTERS SMASH WINDOWS AT LAPD HEADQUARTERS AS ANTI-ICE AGITATORS CLASH WITH AUTHORITIESICE agents carried out operations at businesses across Los Angeles on Friday, sparking protests and clashes outside multiple locations. The next several days saw unrest and violent confrontations between anti-ICE rioters and law enforcement, while the Department of Homeland Security urged California state leaders to "call off their rioting mob."A DHS statement put out Saturday read, "Last night, over 1,000 rioters surrounded a federal law enforcement building and assaulted ICE law enforcement officers, slashed tires, defaced buildings, and taxpayer funded property.It took the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) 2 hours to respond."In response to the escalating chaos, Trump deployed thousands of National Guard troops to Los Angeles. Later, he also ordered 700 U.S. Marines into the city to restore order.CALIFORNIA LT. GOVERNOR SAYS LOS ANGELES RIOTS ARE 'GENERATED BY DONALD TRUMP'Rocha admitted that the chaos was a bad look for Democrats and played directly to the strengths of Trump, who campaigned successfully on border security.He told CNN anchor Audie Cornish, "In the last election, Audie, the Republicans spent $800 million telling the American public that we were being invaded by immigrants from other countries. They made it the central theme of their campaign. This checks all the marks of what Donald Trump wants to be talking about, which is immigration, protest, cops being beat, folks burning cars."Rocha added the riots also distract from some of the presidents weaker policy areas."This is the chaos that he loves because, guess what we're not talking about? We're not talking about the big, beautiful bill. We're not talking about 13 million people being kicked off of healthcare," he said. "We're not talking about anything in Washington. We're talking about the sweetest spot of all of his issue sets, which is immigration, law and order and Los Angeles."CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE"And when you throw in Gavin Newsom, its just the cherry on top for this administration," he added, referring to the California governor and likely 2028 presidential contender.Newsom has blasted Trump for sending in the Marines, writing on X, "U.S. Marines have served honorably across multiple wars in defense of democracy. They are heroes. They shouldn't be deployed on American soil facing their own countrymen to fulfill the deranged fantasy of a dictatorial President. This is un-American."

Athletics center fielder Denzel Clarke is no stranger to making incredible plays in the outfield, but what he did on Monday night against the Los Angeles Angels puts him in the "catch of the year" conversation.Clarke nearly flipped over the center field fence to rob Angels' Nolan Schanuel of a solo home run, wowing the crowd and everyone watching in the process.Even Schanuel was in awe, as Clarke scaled the wall, made the catch with his entire upper half over the wall, and spun himself back around to land on his feet on the warning track.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMNaturally, Clarke let out a roar when he landed back into the field of play, as one would after pulling off a catch of that rarity."Oh my God!" one of the Athletics announcers said when Clarke made the miraculous play. "Ive heard the list, Ive seen the list of the greatest catches youre ever going to see in your life. If you dont have room for this one on your list, were watching two different sports."BRAVES OUTFIELDER MICHAEL HARRIS II ROBS PHILLIES OF THREE-RUN HOMER WITH SENSATIONAL SNAGThis catch from Clarke came just days after he made another mind-boggling play at his Athletics home in Sacramento against the Baltimore Orioles.Clarke was forced to hit the jets to left-center field, as Jorge Mateo roped a ball toward the wall. Clarke never slowed his stride as he reached out to make the catch, and he paid the price as he slammed into the fence to end the inning. The play kept the As lead at 4-3 as well.For Clarke, this game in Anaheim on Monday night was just his 16th with the Athletics, as he started the season in Triple A.But the 25-year-old is certainly making a name for himself defensively in his first cup of coffee in the big leagues.Clarke will hope to get the bat going soon, too, as he had a .224 average with one homer and three RBI entering the game.Follow Fox News Digitalssports coverage on X, and subscribe tothe Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Harvard may win its legal battle against the Trump administration, but the fight to restore confidence in higher education as defenders of the "free exchange of ideas" would still be far from over, The Washington Post editorial board wrote on Tuesday."In the past decade, trust in higher education has dropped precipitously. Ten years ago, a robust majority of Americans told Gallup they had a 'great deal' or 'quite a lot' of confidence in higher education; today, only one-third of Americans say the same," the editorial stated, highlighting similar concerns over an uptick in those who say they have "very little" or "no" confidence in higher education.That percentage rose to 32% from 10% a decade ago.ELITE SCHOOLS ORGANIZE GROUP TO OPPOSE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION AS BATTLE FOR HIGHER EDUCATION FUNDING ESCALATESSuch discontent with higher education has created opportunities for Republicans to seize on the trend and "attack the foundations of academic independence," the board argued.A cocktail of problems, ranging from free speech concerns to rising costs and lower returns on investment, was said to have fed into the growing distrust.In one corner, conservative faculty members have reported self-censoring due to fear of how others might respond to their opinions. The Post argued this isn't isolated to one group, however, and that left-wing voices are also choosing to stay quiet when controversial topics are discussed."In an academic community in which diversity statements are required of new hires (and professors can be denied jobs merely for criticizing them), university administrations and disciplines issue official statements embracing social justice causes, journal editors apologize for or withdraw papers that offend the left, and conservative professors are becoming an increasingly endangered species, even moderates or those on the center-left can reasonably wonder what theyre allowed to say, and universities can seem drastically out of step with mainstream society," the editorial said.CAMPUS ACTIVISTS PUSH FOR ANTI-TRUMP 'MUTUAL DEFENSE COMPACT' OF MAJOR UNIVERSITIESThe editorial board went on to say that institutions of higher education lack a solid foundation to demand that the government respect their "academic freedom" unless they demand the same from their own teachers and leaders."The worst of this political fever might be behind us, but academia will have to take strenuous action to restore its reputation as defenders of the free exchange of ideas""Renaming the diversity, equity and inclusion office will not suffice; they need to foster a campus environment in which the frank discussion of ideas is the core value. If they do not, they will find the public yawning as conservative attacks intensify and courts struggle to contain the damage," the Post's editorial board continued.

The showdown between Sovereignty and Journalism at the Belmont Stakes over the weekend brought in an increase in viewership, FOX Sports announced on Tuesday.FOX and FS1 saw 3,831,000 viewers tune into the race. FOX Sports said it was a 5% increase from last year. The company added that viewership peaked at 5 million viewers between 7 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. ET.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMFOX Sports said the Belmont Stakes was the most-watched sporting event on Saturday. The horse race had plenty of competition, including the womens French Open final, the WNBA game between the Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky, several baseball matchups, and pro wrestling events.Sovereignty charged down the final stretch to stun Journalism at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York. Sovereignty was a 2-1 shot to win the race after picking up a victory in the Kentucky Derby earlier this year.SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCER STIRS KENTUCKY DERBY CONTROVERSY OVER ALLEGED 'INAPPROPRIATE' ATTIREJournalism was the favorite to win after coming off a victory in the Preakness. Journalism just missed out on winning the Kentucky Derby.The race will definitely leave horse racing fans wondering "what-if" after Sovereignty pulled out of the Preakness. There have only been a handful of horses to win the Triple Crown.Justify was the last to complete the feat, in 2018.Follow Fox News Digitalssports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was brutally mocked by critics over a "delusional" X post describing the anti-ICE riots in Los Angeles as "peaceful demonstrations" while pinning blame on President Donald Trump for sowing "chaos" in southern California."Comments off lol. She cant handle the ratio. This is what Hillary Clinton calls 'peaceful demonstrations,'" popular conservative X account Libs of TikTok posted, referring to how comments on Clinton's post were restricted to only permit ones from accounts Clinton follows on the social media platform and accompanied by footage of the destruction in LA.The message was in response to Clinton posting her first and only comment as of Tuesday morning regarding the Los Angeles riots, describing them as "peaceful demonstrations" before Trump mobilized the National Guard over the weekend."California Governor Newsom didn't request the National Guard be deployed to his state following peaceful demonstrations. Trump sent them anyway," Clinton posted on X. "It's the first time in 60 years a president has made that choice. Trump's goal isn't to keep Californians safe. His goal is to cause chaos, because chaos is good for Trump." WATCH: DEM, MEDIA OUTLETS INSIST LA ANTI-ICE RIOTS ARE 'PEACEFUL' DESPITE VIOLENCE, INJURED COPSThe comment sparked widespread backlash among critics, who repeatedly urged the former first lady to "shut up" and accused her of turning off comments to the post amid the backlash."Ever notice that only leftists disable comments?" California Republican Liberty Caucus chair John Dennis posted in response to Clinton.Social media users were able to respond to Clinton through quote engagements, but not through direct replies as of Tuesday morning."These are not peaceful Hillary," Florida Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna posted to X."A public figure and a fraud like herself shouldnt be able to lock her replies, @elonmusk," one person responded on X, tagging X owner Elon Musk.MUSK DOES IMMEDIATE 180 ON TRUMP AS SOON AS LA RIOTS RAGE"Hey @ElonMusk, can you make it so that government officials and former government officials cannot turn off their replies," another user posted."Accusing the National Guard of causing chaos is a serious allegation that requires serious proof. I see none," one social media commenter posted."Hillary Clinton is delusional if nothing else," another posted in response to footage of a fire raging as rioters waved a Mexican flag.Riots broke out in the left-wing city Friday evening after federal law enforcement officials converged on Los Angeles to carry out immigration raids as part of Trump's vow to deport illegal aliens who flooded the nation under the Biden administration. Local leaders such as Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and Newsom, however, quickly denounced the raids in public statements while offering words of support for illegal immigrants in the state.Protests over the raids soon devolved into violence as rioters targeted federal law enforcement officials, including launching rocks at officials, with videos showing people looting local stores, setting cars on fire and taking over a freeway.NEWSOMS POLITICAL FUTURE 'PRACTICALLY NONEXISTENT' AS LA DEVOLVES INTO RIOTS, SOCIAL MEDIA CRITICS PREDICTTrump announced Saturday that he was deploying 2,000 National Guard members to help quell the violence, bypassing the governor, who typically activates the National Guard. California subsequently filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for efforts to allegedly "federalize the California National Guard."As the riots continued raging on Monday, the Trump administration deployed hundreds of U.S. Marines to respond to anti-immigration chaos."Approximately 700 Marines with 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division will seamlessly integrate with the Title 10 forces under Task Force 51 who are protecting federal personnel and federal property in the greater Los Angeles area," U.S. Northern Command said in a Monday statement.Trump defended in a Truth Social post early Tuesday morning that if he "didnt SEND IN THE TROOPS to Los Angeles the last three nights, that once beautiful and great City would be burning to the ground right now.""Much like 25,000 houses burned to the ground in L.A. do to an incompetent Governor and Mayor Incidentally, the much more difficult, time consuming, and stringent FEDERAL PERMITTING PROCESS is virtually complete on these houses, while the easy and simple City and State Permits are disastrously bungled up and WAY BEHIND SCHEDULE! They are a total mess, and will be for a long time. People want to rebuild their houses. Call your incompetent Governor and Mayor, the Federal permitting is DONE!!!" Trump continued, referring to the thousands of homes that burned in southern California wildfires that gripped the Los Angeles area in January.Fox News Digital reached out to Clinton's office for comment on the social media post, but did not immediately receive a reply.

Country singer Conner Smith struck and killed an elderly woman who was crossing the street on Sunday night.The 24-year-old was driving a Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck when he hit a 77-year-old woman, identified as Dorothy Dobbins, as she was crossing the street in downtown Nashville, according to a press release shared by the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department.The fatal collision occurred on 3rd Avenue North near Van Buren Street around 7:30 p.m.COUNTRY SINGER WADE BOWEN INVOLVED IN TOUR BUS CRASHDobbins, a local resident, was said to be inside a marked crosswalk when she was struck by the pickup truck.She was reportedly crossing the street near her home when the incident occurred. She was transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center where she died."The preliminary contributing factor to this crash appears to be Smith failing to yield the right of way to the pedestrian," police stated."He showed no signs of impairment. There are no charges at present as the investigation continues."The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department shared with Fox News Digital that further updates into the investigation may take weeks.An attorney for Smith confirmed in a statement to Fox News Digital that the "Creek Will Rise" singer was "involved in a car accident that tragically claimed a life."'AMERICAS GOT TALENT' ALUM PERRY KURTZ, 73, KILLED IN HIT-AND-RUN, TEENAGER ARRESTED"His heart goes out to Ms. Dobbins family during this incredibly difficult time. Mr. Smith continues to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation."Smith was neither under the influence nor distracted by his phone at the time, a source told Fox News Digital. The source also claimed that Smith was released right away after the accident because he showed no sign of impairment.The fatal collision took place on the final day of the annual CMA Fest, a country music festival that was hosted in Nashville over the weekend.The "I Hate Alabama" crooner shared photos from his performance, but there was no statement on the crash.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTERThe Nashville native rose to fame after he signed with The Valory Music Co. in 2019, according to Music Row."Ive always been in love with the storytelling of country music," Smith said. "Ive dedicated my life to trying to figure out how to be a songwriter, and how to capture those same emotions that I felt as a kid growing up in this town. Country music shaped so much of my life."Smith tied the knot with surfer Leah Thompson in April 2024.

Federal prosecutors are pushing back against Milwaukee Judge Hannah Dugan's motion to dismiss an indictment filed against her for allegedly helping an illegal immigrant evade Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in the Milwaukee County Courthouse last month.Dugan, 65, was indicted last month on federal charges of obstruction of proceedings before a U.S. agency and unlawful concealment of an individual subject to arrest.Her attorneys say she is entitled to judicial immunity and that the federal government overstepped its authority by arresting and charging her, violating her 10th Amendment rights and the principle of separation of powers, according to court documents filed in late May.On Wednesday, prosecutors filed a response to her motion to dismiss, noting that "the Supreme Court has made clear that judges are not immune from criminal liability."WISCONSIN JUDGE CLAIMS 'ABSOLUTE IMMUNITY,' CALLS DOJ INDICTMENT AN 'UGLY INNOVATION'"In the end, Dugan asks for this Court to develop a novel doctrine of judicial immunity from criminal prosecution, and to apply it to the facts alleged in the indictment, all without reasonable basisdirectly or indirectlyin the Constitution, statutes, or case law," prosecutors wrote."In her lengthy memorandum, Dugan concedes that [j]udges, like legislators and executive officials, are not above the law," they said."Dugans desired ruling would, in essence, say that judges are above the law, and uniquely entitled to interfere with federal law enforcement," prosecutors added.Federal prosecutors allege that the Milwaukee Circuit Court judge personally escorted Mexican illegal immigrant and domestic battery suspect Eduardo Flores-Ruiz out of the courthouse on April 18 while ICE agents were attempting to serve a warrant.NEW FOOTAGE SHOWS MILWAUKEE JUDGE CONFRONTING ICE BEFORE ALLEGEDLY HELPING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT EXITThe surveillance footage recently released by Milwaukee County in response to an open records request appears to show Dugan, wearing her black robe, confronting ICE agents in the courthouse hallway.MILWAUKEE JUDGE HANNAH DUGAN TO ENTER PLEA IN FEDERAL COURTFederal prosecutors say members of ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), along with federal partners from the FBI, DEA, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, were preparing to serve Flores-Ruiz with a warrant in a public courthouse hallway on April 18 before his scheduled court appearance with Dugan.WATCH THE SURVEILLANCE FOOTAGE:After becoming aware of what federal officials described as a valid immigration arrest warrant for Flores-Ruiz, Dugan allegedly told agents that they needed a judicial warrant and told them to go to the chief judge's office.The agents then left their place in the hallway, at which point Dugan allegedly chose not to hold a hearing for Flores-Ruiz and "personally escorted" the suspect and his attorney through a private exit while the victims of his alleged crimes were in the courthouse at the time, the Justice Department said in a press release.MILWAUKEE COUNTY JUDGE HANNAH DUGAN INDICTED AFTER ALLEGEDLY HELPING ILLEGAL ALIEN EVADE ICEWhile Dugan argues that ICE agents interrupted goings-on in the courthouse on April 18, prosecutors say it was Dugan who disrupted proceedings."The evidence also will show that agents were not in the courtroom when Dugan took the bench, but thatafter being told by a member of her staff that ICE agents were present in the hallwayDugan chose to pause an unrelated case, leave her courtroom, disrupt proceedings in a colleagues courtroom to commandeer her assistance, and then confront agents in the public hallway," the filing says.WISCONSIN JUDGE ACCUSED OF OBSTRUCTING ICE COULD FACE YEARS IN PRISON, DOJ HAS 'UPPER HAND': FORMER PROSECUTORProsecutors say evidence also shows Dugan directing agents to the chief judge's office even while knowing he was out, then she "quickly returned to her courtroom and, among other things, directed [Florez-Ruiz's] attorney to take your client out and come back and get a date; and then to go through the jury door and down the stairs' before physically escorting [Flroes-Ruiz] and his attorney into a non-public hallway with access to a stairwell that led to a courthouse exit," filings say.Dugan "did this all just days after thanking a colleague for providing information which explained that ICE could lawfully make arrests in the courthouse hall," prosecutors stated Wednesday."Put simply, nothing in the indictment or the anticipated evidence at trial supports Dugans assertion that agents disrupted the courts docket; instead, all events arose from Dugans unilateral, non-judicial, and unofficial actions in obstructing a federal immigration matter over which she, as a Wisconsin state judge, had no authority," the document reads. "At the very least, for purposes of deciding this motion, Dugans claims to the contrary find no support in the indictment and should be rejected."One of Dugan's defense attorneys, Dean Strang, told Fox News Digital that her counsel has a "good reply" to prosecutors' Wednesday filing, but her team is waiting until their reply brief, due next Monday, to make it.The Milwaukee judge has pleaded not guilty to charges filed against her, and a federal judge has set her trial date for July 21.A federal indictment accuses Dugan of "falsely" telling federal officials in April that they needed a warrant to come into her courtroom during a scheduled appearance byFlores-Ruiz, an undocumented Mexican national facing three misdemeanor battery charges.Video footage appears to show Flores-Ruiz exiting the courthouse with his attorney, while an ICE agent follows him, and then running alongside the building for about a block before agents capture and arrest him.Federal officials arrested Dugan a week after the courthouse incident.Dugan could face a maximum sentence of six years. She has pleaded not guilty to the charges filed against her. Fox News Digital has reached out to her attorney, Craig Mastantuono, for comment on the footage.In April, Dugan's legal team also filed a motion to dismiss the federal case against her, saying the judge "is entitled to judicial immunity for her official acts.""Immunity is not a defense to the prosecution to be determined later by a jury or court; it is an absolute bar to the prosecution at the outset," the motion said.Fox News Digital's Rachel Wolf contributed to this report.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday forcefully defended the deployment of National Guard troops and U.S. Marines to Los Angeles, accusing California Gov. Gavin Newsom and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass of failing to protect ICE agents and citizens from violent rioters and asserting that Trump is stepping in to do the job.Hegseth sparred with Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., during a heated House Appropriations Subcommittee hearing on Tuesday, asserting that the president had the legal authority to deploy the troops since rioters had attacked ICE agents and torched property in parts of the sanctuary city while waving Mexican flags and flags of other nations."The governor of California is unable to execute the laws of the United States," Hegseth said. "The governor of California has failed to protect his people, along with the mayor of Los Angeles and so President Trump has said he will protect our agents and our Guard and Marines are proud to do it."TRUMP TAKES ACTION AGAINST 'ORCHESTRATED ATTACK' ON LAW ENFORCEMENT BY DEPLOYING MARINES TO LA: ASSEMBLYMANHegseth justified the decision for the Trump administration to intervene, saying that every American citizen deserves to live in a community that is safe, and that ICE agents need to be able to do their job. The riots broke out on Friday as ICE agents were taking part in deportation raids in the city, fulfilling a key part of Trumps immigration enforcement agenda."They're being attacked for doing their job, which is deporting illegal criminals that should happen in any city, Minneapolis or Los Angeles," Hegseth said. "And if they're attacked, that's lawless and President Trump believes in law and order, so he has every authority."Aguilar questioned whether Trump had the authority to deploy National Guard troops under 10 U.S. Code 12406, citing three examples of when it can be used while also blasting the administration for not consulting with the state before doing so. Trump has deployed 2,000 National Guardsmen and around 700 U.S. Marines.CALIFORNIA LT. GOVERNOR SAYS LOS ANGELES RIOTS ARE 'GENERATED BY DONALD TRUMP'"Invasion by a foreign nation, rebellion or dangerous rebellion against the authority of the government of the United States, or the president is unable with regular forces to execute the laws of the United States," Aguilar said. "Which authority is triggered here to justify the use?"But Hegseth fired back and said, "it sounds like all three to me.""If you've got millions of illegals, you don't know where they're coming from. They're waving flags from foreign countries and assaulting police officers and law enforcement officers. You and I both know that President Trump has all the authority necessary, and thankfully, he's willing to do it on behalf of the citizens of Los Angeles, on behalf of our ICE agents and behalf of our country."Aguilar also raised concern that the troops were ill-prepared, since pictures were posted of them sleeping on floors in uniform."Thats a disingenuous attack that misrepresents how much we care about our troops Nobody cares more about the troops at the top than this secretary and the chairman in our department," Hegseth said. "The commanders and troops on the field are very well prepared... There are moments where you make do as best you can temporarily, but we are ensuring theyre housed, fed, [and have] water capabilities in real time from my office."Special Assistant to the Secretary of Defense Bryn MacDonnell testified that the cost of the deployment is expected to be $134 million,with funds being pulled from regular operational accounts.Elsewhere, Hegseth said the department would need$961.6 billion in the fiscal year 2026 budget, which would be used to rebuild military strength, countering China, border security and funding the newGolden Dome missile defense system. A 10.5% pay raise was also secured for junior enlisted troops.