Pete Hegseth responds to claims that he and Trump want "martial law" [View all]

Source: msn/Newsweek

11h


U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has pushed back against critics who say President Donald Trump's administration seeks to impose martial law, following the president's announcement of sweeping federal intervention in Washington, D.C. Speaking on Fox News' eponymous The Ingraham Angle, with host Laura Ingraham, Hegseth defended the deployment of up to 1,000 National Guard troops and federal takeover of the nation's capital police department as lawful measures to restore order.

Why It Matters

Trump's invocation of emergency powers to federalize D.C.'s Metropolitan Police Department represents one of the most aggressive federal interventions in local law enforcement in recent history.

The move sets a precedent that could extend to other cities, with Trump specifically naming Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia and Baltimore as potential targets for similar federal deployments. Martial law is a term that references the military seizing control of a civilian area during an emergency.

What To Know

Trump invoked Section 740 of the 1973 D.C. Home Rule Act, allowing federal control for 30 days, with congressional approval required for extensions.

Read more: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/pete-hegseth-responds-to-claims-that-he-and-trump-want-martial-law/ar-AA1KlY7A