In his first remarks as President Donald Trump’s defense secretary, Pete Hegseth referred to two U.S. military bases by their former Confederate names, appearing to hint that he might possibly restore them.
Speaking to reporters on Monday ― his first day on the job after being narrowly confirmed by the Senate ― the National Guard veteran laid out what he envisions for the Pentagon under Trump’s administration. Hegseth expressed support for the president’s executive orders that would scrap the military’s diversity and inclusion initiatives, reinstate soldiers “who were pushed out because of COVID mandates” and create an Iron Dome-like missile defense system for the United States.
“Every moment that I’m here, I’m thinking about the guys and gals in Guam, in Germany, Fort Benning and Fort Bragg, on missile defense sites and aircraft carriers,” the former Fox News host said. “Our job is lethality and readiness and war-fighting.”
