The defense secretary annoyed Donald Trump with a favor for Elon Musk. Hegseth’s problems only grew from there.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faces intense questioning in Capitol Hill hearings over his controversial actions, including the use of Signal app for sensitive military details and numerous Pentagon spending plans.

Several California Democrats questioned Hegseth about the immigration raids that have roiled Los Angeles, the federal commandeering of the state’s National Guard and the deployment of Marines.

“Your tenure as secretary has ... lawful tasks that they are given.” Pentagon learns from Ukraine but will cut funding Committee members pressed Hegseth on Ukraine’s surprise drone attack ...

In a back and forth exchange with the defense appropriations subcommittee’s top Democrat, Hegseth refused to answer basic questions on the cost of deploying Marines to Los Angeles, instead falling back on political talking points. Related: Protesters return for 4th day as anti-ICE demonstrations continue in LA; Marines deployed to assist

“Your tenure as ... funding for Kyiv. Hegseth said the strikes caught the U.S. off guard and represented significant advances in drone warfare. The attack has the Pentagon rethinking drone ...