Sen. Baldwin: Pete Hegseth could not cite the legal authority Trump has to deploy Marines to L.A.

Military Deployment & Legal Authority - The Secretary of Defense's inability to articulate the legal basis for deploying active duty Marines to California raises concerns about constitutional principles and the separation of powers between the military and local law enforcement [1][5] - The deployment of Marines is perceived as a distraction from other issues, potentially related to healthcare and tax policies [3][4] - Concerns exist that the administration's actions, including ICE raids, are unpopular and misaligned with national values [7] Defense Priorities & Resource Allocation - The focus on renaming Navy ships, specifically one named after Harvey Milk, is questioned in light of more pressing national security concerns and responsibilities of the Department of Defense [8][10] - The Department of Defense should prioritize addressing threats from adversaries like Iran, China, Russia, and North Korea, rather than focusing on renaming ships [9][10] Political & Social Issues - The administration is accused of focusing on divisive social issues, such as renaming ships honoring civil rights leaders, instead of addressing critical national security matters [10] - Stephen Miller is reportedly pushing for more aggressive immigration enforcement, potentially contributing to unpopular actions [6]