House Democratic appropriators and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth traded barbs Tuesday over the deployment of U.S. military forces to California in an often contentious hearing that ultimately yielded few new details about what lawmakers were ostensibly present to discuss: the fiscal 2026 budget request.

A reporter from CNN who has been reporting on the unrest in Los Angeles became part of the story for a brief time Monday night.

One of Hegseth's top deputies testified Tuesday that the estimated cost of deploying the National Guard to Los Angeles will be $134 million.

Los Angeles protests against federal immigration raids enter third day, as Trump threatens to deploy the National Guard over objections by CA Gov. Gavin Newsom and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass.

Meanwhile, two men are being charged by the U.S. attorney in Los Angeles for possession of an unregistered destructive device for their alleged roles in the LA protest violence, federal prosecutors announced. Emiliano Galvez and Wrackkie Quiogue are both accused of trying to throw Molotov cocktails at police, according to federal prosecutors.

As the unrest continues for the fourth day in LA, tension is escalating between President Trump and California Governor Gavin Newsom ... Trump and Hegseth ignored law enforcement's expertise ...

Congressional Democrats started the fight. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ended it. Hegseth was called before the House Appropriations Committee to discuss his proposed budget, but Democrats wanted to use the opportunity to pummel Hegseth over his work running the military and the deployment of Marines to ensure Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents are protected in Los Angeles.