During a Wednesday committee meeting on national security and budgetary issues, U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) thanked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for his efforts to stop violent riots in Los Angeles, Calif.
Wednesday's Meeting in the Senate Armed Services Committee was primarily focused on the Department of Defense's (DOD) budget for Fiscal Year 2026. However, Democratic lawmakers used the meeting to vent outrage towards the Trump administration's immigration policies and handling of the riots.
According to President Donald Trump, California Gov. Gavin Newsom was failing to act and stop the riots destroying his state. Hegseth responded by mobilizing the National Guard without Newsom's request or approval.
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District Court Judge Charles Breyer determined shortly thereafter last week that Trump's use of the National Guard was illegal, ordering the president to return control of the National Guard to Newsom. That decision is currently on appeal.
After enduring several anti-Trump diatribes from Democratic lawmakers, Tuberville spent his time praising Hegseth for his actions in LA.
"Mr. Secretary, thanks for looking out for the law enforcement and the millions of people in California that still love this country and want this country to survive, and not the radicals that wave non-American flags, that protest in the streets [and] tear things down," Tuberville said. "It is ridiculous, and thank you for doing what you're doing, you and President Trump. It's getting out of hand."
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