US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Slams “Woke” Military and “Fat Generals”
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US Defense secretary Pete Hegseth has launched a scathing critique of the military, blaming “fat generals” and diversity initiatives for decades of decline.He delivered the remarks at a rare gathering of commanders on Tuesday in Quantico, Virginia.
“Foolish and reckless political leaders set the wrong compass heading and we lost our way,” Mr Hegseth stated. “We became the ‘Woke Department’. But not anymore.”
Addressing a room full of America’s top generals, summoned unexpectedly last week, Mr Hegseth defended his recent firings of flag officers, including the top US general, who was Black, and the Navy’s top admiral, who was a woman. He characterized these officers as part of a broken culture.
He promised significant changes to the handling of discrimination complaints and investigations of wrongdoing within the Pentagon, claiming the current system forces top brass to walk on “eggshells.”
“If the words I’m speaking today are making yoru hearts sink,then you should do the honourable thing and resign,” Mr Hegseth challenged the audience. “I know the overwhelming majority of you feel the opposite. These words make your hearts full.”
Mr Hegseth also criticized the physical condition of some troops,stating,”It’s completely unacceptable to see fat generals and admirals in the halls of the Pentagon.” He announced that all fitness tests would be set to male benchmarks and stressed the importance of strict grooming standards.
“The era of unprofessional appearance is over. No more beardos,” he declared to a silent room.
Trump Addresses Military Event Amidst Defence Policy Shifts
President Donald Trump addressed a military event, expressing strong support for the armed forces while also hinting at potential shifts in defence priorities. The event, attended by senior uniformed officials, took place against a backdrop of significant changes within the Pentagon since Trump took office.
“I am with you. I support you, and as president, I have your backs 100 per cent,” Trump stated, according to Reuters. His remarks included praise for US nuclear submarines, the creation of the US Space Force, and recent improvements in military recruitment.
Pentagon Undergoing Transformation
The Pentagon has experienced significant changes in the eight months as Trump’s inauguration. These include personnel changes, the removal of books from military academy libraries, and the authorization of lethal force against suspected drug operations off the coast of Venezuela.
Notably, Trump recently signed an executive order to rename the Department of Defense back to the “Department of War,” a title not used since the end of World War II. this move is seen by some as an attempt to re-emphasize the military’s role in conflict, rather than solely in preventing it. The Hill reported on this executive order.
Military leaders present at the event are facing scrutiny regarding their response to Trump’s overtly political comments, a recurring issue given the President’s tendency to involve the military in political matters. The US military is constitutionally mandated to remain apolitical, loyal to the US Constitution, and independent of any political party or movement.
Deploying National Guard to Cities
The Trump administration has also announced plans to deploy National Guard troops to Chicago, despite objections from local authorities. This follows similar deployments to Portland, Oregon, and Los Angeles earlier this year, also met with resistance from city officials. NBC News provides details on the Portland deployment.
Reuters