What he says: In his second annual “State of the Force” address at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia, Hegseth accused some members of the media of “treason.”
- While a free press is important, he said “partisan activism that intentionally vilifies the troops and the historic mission they are undertaking is fundamentally un-American. It’s sick. It’s a national betrayal. It’s a betrayal, actually.”
- “It’s your movements and your bases that they reveal to the enemy,” he explained. “At the end of the day, it’s your lives they put directly at risk when they lie about ammunition stockpiles.”
Between the lines: Media reports of dwindling supplies of key munitions amid the war with Iran have angered President Trump and his team. Hegseth frequently attacks the press and has taken unprecedented steps to restrict media access to the Pentagon.
Driving the news: Hegseth returned to culture war themes in his speech, emphasizing his efforts to reverse DEI and gender equality efforts in the interest of “meritocracy.”
- “We are no longer the woke department or the weak department. Simple translation of that: no fat people, no transsexuals, no bearded guys, no weirdos, no wimps, no radicals. Just warriors.”
Zoom out: Hegseth also made important news in his speech. He confirmed plans for a 20% reduction in the number of generals and admirals across the forces, while rejecting descriptions of the reductions as a purge.
- “As usual, what the media takes as an accusation, I take as an accomplishment,” he said.
- Hegseth also announced the creation of a new Standalone Warfare Command – an initiative to study the future of warfare that will involve Elon Musk – and a national competition to host the next US military base.
Go further: Hegseth calls on Pentagon to combat foreign interference in US elections
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