SECDEF Hegseth: “The warfighters are back in charge!”

Transcript

Laura Ingraham:
Your message to young people who may be considering a career in the military. Maybe they held back a little bit in previous years for a variety of reasons. We had some recruitment problems in the Army. You documented that. I’ve documented it.

Your message to them, if they’re thinking about this mission of protecting America?

SECDEF Pete Hegseth:
President Trump has your back. You couldn’t have a better Commander-in-Chief, and the warfighters are back in charge.

If you want to defend your nation and toughen up and be prepared for the fight or be all that you can be–whatever characterization you want–now’s the time. You’re going to have real leadership.

We’re going to make sure you got the best possible training. We’re going to treat you equally and fairly and with discipline, maintaining standards and accountability and meritocracy.

Laura Ingraham:
Is that at the Service Academies too?

SECDEF Pete Hegseth:
Service Academies, Recruitment. You know, these are not civilian universities, Laura. These are military academies crafting military leaders of the future.

We’re looking at reducing civilian professors and bringing back more military professors in these places.

It’s a back to basics moment.

So for those military families and those vets out there who have wondered whether now is the time to serve, we say welcome back. Come on back.

We’ve seen a huge surge in numbers because I think there was broken trust that’s been reestablished by President Trump.

You could not have a better Commander-in-Chief. I see it every day how committed he is.

We hope men and women of America will bestow their most precious gift to us, which is their their sons and daughters, and know that we will respect them and utilize them properly.

Not put them into fights that they don’t need to be in. Not send them to go nation-build.

We’re going to use them to defend our nation, not other people’s borders.

That’s what President Trump has charged me to do, and I think that’s energized a lot of young people.

Laura Ingraham:
You having fun?

SECDEF Pete Hegseth:
Oh my goodness, what an honor. It’s incredible. And we’re not going to stop.

I said in my confirmation hearing, this is the most important deployment of my life. And that’s what I’m treated it as.

You know, no one can keep up with the boss, President Trump, at his pace–it’s not going to happen. But we’re going to do everything we can to follow right behind and execute.

It’s a dream, and it really is–it’s not complicated, Laura…..

Laura Ingraham:
It’s back to common sense.

SECDEF Pete Hegseth:
It’s common sense. Back to basics. Peace through strength. America first. Supporting the troops…

Laura Ingraham:
But the idea that you would want to have your top generals in place that actually support the president’s agenda, that’s outrageous to people that you all would fire people who might be great people, great service–but that you didn’t believe would actually support the President’s missions. We saw that in previous administrations, in his previous administration.

SECDEF Pete Hegseth:
Every single one of us serves at the pleasure of the President to include uniformed leaders. The President deserves the uniformed advisers that he wants, and he’s been clear about that. I’ve been clear about that.

We’re building a team, that will give him the best possible advice. That will swear an oath to the Constitution and defend it. And then we’ll execute on behalf of the American people.

We need warfighters and leaders: outside-the-box thinkers, disruptors. That’s what we’re looking for. That’s what we’re bringing in. It’s a pretty exciting moment at the Defense Department.

H/T STARRS