Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Democratic senators went back and forth in a series of heated conversations regarding the Trump administration’s latest military actions during a Senate Armed Services hearing on Wednesday.

The hearing was supposed to be about the defense budget for 2026, but it was overshadowed in part by other issues like the Los Angeles protests, ‘No Kings Protests,’ and unrest in the Middle East.

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The former Fox News host was questioned by Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) about the possibility of an order given for the military to use force against unarmed protesters.

“I’m just asking the question. Don’t laugh,” Slotkin said after Hegseth brushed off the question.

“What is this based on?” Hegseth asked. “What evidence do you have that the order has ever been given?”

Slotkin responded that his predecessor, Mark Esper, didn’t accept “such an offer” during President Donald Trump‘s first administration.

“He had more guts and balls than you because he said, I’m not going to send in a uniformed military to do something that I know in my gut isn’t right…You’re pooh-poohing this,” Slotkin said.

There was “zero indication that an order was given to shoot protesters, and that has not happened,” according to Hegseth.

Hegseth then didn’t give in to Slotkin, when asked whether troops could use force against unarmed civilians.

“Senator, I’d be careful what you read in books and believing it,” Hegseth said. “Except for the Bible.”

This raised a reaction out of Slotkin — saying “Oh my god” under her breath.

Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-AZ) also took hits from Hegseth earlier in the hearing, becoming increasingly irritated as her time ran up.

Hegseth was asked about the firings of top national security officials, including the director of the National Security Agency, General Tim Haugh, that were allegedly made due to a request from Republican social media influencer, Laura Loomer.

“She’s been denounced even by Republicans, and the idea is that any leaders within our agency responsible for our nation’s security, someone would be dismissed based on the advice of a social media influencer,” Rosen said.

Hegseth said that the panel should not “believe everything you read in the media.”

At the end of her time, Ronsen asked Hegseth, “Do you believe it’s appropriate for any social media personality to influence personnel decisions in your department? Yes or no?”

Hegseth avoided the question, responding with “I think your time is up, senator.”

In response, Ronsen pushed back by saying he doesn’t get to tell her, and decide when her time is up.

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“You’re either feckless or complicit. You’re not in control of your department,” Ronsen said. Hegseth responded with a smirk.

“You [are] unserious … I don’t appreciate the smirk, sir. You are the secretary of defense.”