Story perspectives

Secretary Hegseth Falsely Claims Biden Ordered Guard Deployment

5/5/2026

Summary

Story summary

Secretary Pete Hegseth lied, claiming President Joe Biden ordered National Guard troops in 2024 election.
State officials in all 11 states said governors ordered Guard activity, not the president.
Rep. Jill Tokuda asked if Hegseth would obey a directive from U.S. President Donald Trump to place troops at sites, which would breach federal law.
Senator Elissa Slotkin confronted Hegseth on his false claim, prompting him to repeat the inaccurate statement.

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Story summary

Secretary Pete Hegseth lied, claiming President Joe Biden ordered National Guard troops in 2024 election.
State officials in all 11 states said governors ordered Guard activity, not the president.
Rep. Jill Tokuda asked if Hegseth would obey a directive from U.S. President Donald Trump to place troops at sites, which would breach federal law.
Senator Elissa Slotkin confronted Hegseth on his false claim, prompting him to repeat the inaccurate statement.