Episode 4192: Bringing Warrior Ethos To Defense

Summary

Bannon's War Room: Episode 4192 – Bringing Warrior Ethos To Defense

Release Date: January 14, 2025
Host: WarRoom.org (Stephen K. Bannon)
Description:
Bannon's War Room delivers the latest insights and comprehensive analyses on current events, featuring discussions with medical experts, politicians, business leaders, and frontline personnel. In Episode 4192, titled "Bringing Warrior Ethos To Defense," host Stephen K. Bannon navigates the intense Senate confirmation hearing of Pete Hegseth for the position of Secretary of Defense.

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1. Introduction to the Hearing

The episode centers around the high-stakes Senate confirmation hearing for Pete Hegseth, President Donald Trump's nominee for Secretary of Defense. The hearing is characterized by intense scrutiny from committee members, particularly from Democratic senators, and is punctuated by interjections from Stephen K. Bannon, who provides live commentary and analysis.

2. Opening Statements

Mike Waltz's Testimony [00:00 – 01:36]:
Representative Mike Waltz begins the hearing by highlighting the systemic issues within the Department of Defense (DoD):

"The Pentagon has continuously failed audits. Innovation has stalled, morale is down, standards have been weakened, and meritocracy is less valued." [00:45]

Waltz emphasizes the need for transformative leadership to restore the DoD's warrior ethos and bolster national security. He endorses Pete Hegseth as the ideal candidate to lead this change, underscoring Hegseth's commitment to service members and national strength.

3. Pete Hegseth's Testimony

Initial Remarks [04:04 – 09:20]:
Pete Hegseth delivers a heartfelt opening statement, expressing gratitude to his family, supporters, and the military personnel serving the nation. He pledges to restore the warrior ethos within the DoD, focusing on:

1. Re-establishing Trust: Addressing recruitment, retention, and readiness crises.
2. Rebuilding the Military: Investing in the defense industrial base and modernizing the nuclear triad.
3. Reestablishing Deterrence: Defending the homeland, deterring aggression in the Indo-Pacific, and responsibly ending wars to prioritize resources effectively.

Hegseth asserts his commitment to meritocracy, accountability, and maintaining an apolitical military focused solely on warfighting and readiness.

"Our standards will be high and they will be equal, not equitable. We need to make sure every warrior is fully qualified on their assigned weapon system." [08:07]

4. Committee Questions and Responses

a. Chairman Wicker's Procedural Questions [01:38 – 02:43]:

Chairman Wicker conducts the procedural portion of the hearing, asking Hegseth a series of standard questions regarding conflicts of interest, cooperation with Congress, and transparency. Hegseth responds affirmatively to all, demonstrating his willingness to comply with legislative oversight.

b. Senator Jack Reed's Cross-Examination [17:32 – 36:05]:

Allegations and Smear Campaigns [17:32 – 31:06]:
Senator Jack Reed challenges Hegseth on allegations of sexual assault, workplace misconduct, alcohol abuse, and financial mismanagement. Hegseth counters by accusing the media of orchestrating a coordinated smear campaign aimed at discrediting him and, by extension, President Trump. He emphasizes his integrity and the support he has received from veterans and military personnel.

"All they were out to do, Mr. Chairman, was to destroy me. And why do they want to destroy me? Because I'm a change agent and a threat to them." [19:05]

Defense Spending and Organizational Reforms [20:46 – 23:53]:
Reed inquires about defense spending priorities and critiques Hegseth’s alignment with bipartisan defense strategies, especially concerning the Indo-Pacific strategy. Hegseth reaffirms his commitment to rebuilding the military and maintaining a robust defense budget, aligning with President Trump's vision of "peace through strength."

"We cannot afford any more delays in those programs." [37:24]

Deterring China and the Indo-Pacific [23:53 – 24:33]:
Hegseth discusses the importance of prioritizing the Indo-Pacific region to counter Chinese aggression, aligning with the 2017 National Defense Strategy.

c. Senator Deb Fischer's Questions on the Nuclear Triad [36:10 – 38:35]:

Nuclear Deterrence [37:24 – 38:35]:
Senator Deb Fischer focuses on the modernization of the nuclear triad, questioning Hegseth’s commitment to maintaining and upgrading the United States' nuclear capabilities. Hegseth affirms his support for President Trump's 2018 Nuclear Posture Review and commits to ensuring the triad's modernization and effectiveness.

"Our deterrence, our survival, is reliant upon the capability, the perception and the reality of the capability of our nuclear triad." [37:37]

d. Senator Tammy Duckworth’s Inquiry on Women in the Military [44:17 – 50:37]:

Women in Combat Roles [46:09 – 50:37]:
Senator Duckworth confronts Hegseth on his past statements regarding women in combat roles, referencing his book "War on Warriors" where he expresses skepticism about the effectiveness of women in combat. She challenges the inconsistency in his public statements and his commitment to the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda.

Hegseth attempts to clarify his stance by emphasizing the importance of meritocracy and maintaining high standards, asserting that his concerns are about standards rather than gender capabilities.

"Our unity and our shared purpose is what defines us." [49:46]

Despite his attempts to reassure, Duckworth remains skeptical, presenting chapter excerpts from his book for the record and questioning his commitment to preserving the WPS law and ensuring equal opportunities for women in the military.

5. Stephen K. Bannon’s Commentary

Throughout the hearing, Stephen K. Bannon interjects with live commentary, highlighting the perceived political motivations behind the Democratic committee's aggressive questioning. He portrays Hegseth as a "change agent" intent on stripping the DoD of bureaucratic inefficiencies and combating divisive policies like Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).

"Pete Hexis is an agent of change. This is going to be a very intense hearing." [23:56]

Bannon underscores the partisan tensions and anticipates ongoing challenges for the Trump administration’s nominees, suggesting that the hearings are part of a broader strategy aimed at undermining President Trump’s policies.

6. Conclusion and Closing Remarks

As the hearing progresses, the committee remains focused on evaluating Hegseth's qualifications and addressing the multifaceted concerns raised by Democratic senators. Hegseth consistently reiterates his dedication to rebuilding the military, restoring accountability, and ensuring that the DoD operates with a warrior ethos centered on readiness and effectiveness.

The episode concludes with anticipations of a prolonged confirmation process, reflecting the deep partisan divides and the significant implications for national defense.

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Notable Quotes:

• Mike Waltz [00:45]:

  "The Pentagon has continuously failed audits. Innovation has stalled, morale is down, standards have been weakened, and meritocracy is less valued."

• Pete Hegseth [08:07]:

  "Our standards will be high and they will be equal, not equitable. We need to make sure every warrior is fully qualified on their assigned weapon system."

• Pete Hegseth [19:05]:

  "All they were out to do, Mr. Chairman, was to destroy me. And why do they want to destroy me? Because I'm a change agent and a threat to them."

• Pete Hegseth [37:37]:

  "Our deterrence, our survival, is reliant upon the capability, the perception and the reality of the capability of our nuclear triad."

• Pete Hegseth [49:46]:

  "Our unity and our shared purpose is what defines us."

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Conclusion:

Episode 4192 of Bannon's War Room offers an in-depth look into the contentious Senate confirmation hearing of Pete Hegseth. Through detailed analysis and live commentary, Stephen K. Bannon captures the tense dynamics between a Trump-nominated candidate and the Democratic-led committee. The episode underscores the pivotal debates surrounding military reform, defense spending, and the role of women in the armed forces, reflecting broader national conversations about the future of the United States' defense strategy.

Transcript

[Mike Waltz]

And the members of the House Armed Services know it's not working. And we have hearing after hearing, year after year. And here we are, decades later, describing the same problems. The Pentagon has continuously failed audits. The businesses that want to do business with the Pentagon have to pass an audit. But the entity itself fails an audit. Innovation has stalled, morale is down, standards have been weakened, and meritocracy is less valued. And as a result, our adversaries have been emboldened all over the world. Ladies and gentlemen, it's time for change. It is time for change. You all have literally seen thousands of veterans as the chairman cited one amazing Medal of Honor recipient. But we have seen thousands of veterans expressing their support for Pete. This is a man who can reinvigorate that warrior ethos, and this is a man that will lead. I can't imagine having a more capable partner in my position as National Security Advisor. Pete is a man of family, of faith, and he's committed to making our country strong again. And most importantly, brother, I know this in my core. He will always have, as a first principle, the service members that are out there on the front lines for all of us, at the heart of every decision he makes. So, senators, I urge you to support this confirmation. It is critical that President Trump has his national security team in place.

[Stephen K. Bannon]

Open my mic.

[Mike Waltz]

Challenges ahead. And I thank you.

[Chairman Wicker]

Thank you, Mike, for your testimony.

[Stephen K. Bannon]

You're in the War Room. Stephen K. Bannon. We are at Pete Hex's Senate confirmation hearing live.

[Chairman Wicker]

Let's go back to the hearing for the next few years. Thank you. Both our two guests may stay or I know they have other engagements and responsibilities also. But thank you both for your testimony. At this point, Mr. Hexseth, I'm required to ask you, as a nominee, a series of questions that the committee asks all civilian nominees who appear before it. If you would please simply respond in the affirmative or negative to each question. Have you adhered to applicable laws and regulations governing conflicts of interest?

[Pete Hegseth]

Yes, sir.

[Chairman Wicker]

Have you assumed any duties or taken any actions that would appear to presume the outcome of the confirmation process?

[Pete Hegseth]

No, sir.

[Chairman Wicker]

Exercising our legislative and oversight responsibilities makes it important that this committee, its subcommittees, and other appropriate committees of Congress receive testimony, briefings, reports, records, and other information from the executive branch on a timely basis? Do you agree, if confirmed, to appear and testify before this committee when requested?

[Pete Hegseth]

Yes, sir.

[Chairman Wicker]

Do you agree to provide records, documents, and electronic communications in a timely manner when requested by this committee, its subcommittees, or. Or other appropriate committees of Congress, and to consult with the requester regarding the basis for any good faith delay or denial in providing such records?

[Pete Hegseth]

Yes, sir.

[Chairman Wicker]

Will you ensure that your staff complies with deadlines established by this committee for the production of reports, records and other information, including timely responding to hearing questions for the record?

[Pete Hegseth]

Yes, sir.

[Chairman Wicker]

Will you cooperate in providing witnesses and briefers in response to Congressional requests?

[Pete Hegseth]

Yes, sir.

[Chairman Wicker]

Will those witnesses and briefers be protected from reprisal for their testimony or briefings?

[Pete Hegseth]

Yes, sir.

[Chairman Wicker]

All right, so at this point, Mr. Hexis, you will recognize for your opening statement.

[Pete Hegseth]

Well, thank you, Chairman Wicker, Ranking Member Reed, and all the members of this committee for this opportunity today. I'm grateful for and have learned a great deal from this advice and consent process. Our founders knew what they were doing. Should I be confirmed? I look forward to working with this committee, senators from both parties, to secure our nation. I want to thank the former Senator from Minnesota, Norm Coleman, for his mentorship and friendship in this process. And the incoming National Security Advisor, Congressman, and more importantly for our purposes, Colonel Mike Waltz, for his powerful words. I'm grateful to them both. Thank you to my incredible wife, Jennifer, who has changed my life and been with me throughout this entire process. I love you, sweetheart, and I thank God for you. And as Jenny and I pray together every morning, all glory, regardless of the outcome, belongs to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His grace and mercy abounds each day. May his will be done. Thank you to my father, Brian and mother, Penny, as well as our entire family, including our seven wonderful kids. Gunner Jackson, Peter Boone, Kensington, Luke, Rex. Sorry, it's a lot of them. And Gwendolyn. Their future safety and security is in all of our hands. And to all the troops and veterans watching and here in the room, Navy Seals, Green Berets, soldiers, pilots, sailors, Marines, Gold stars and more. To too many friends to name officers enlisted, black and white, young and old, men and women, all Americans, all warriors. This hearing is for you. Thank you for figuratively and literally having my back.

[Chairman Wicker]

I want to thank the authorities for their swift reaction to that outburst and state that similar interruptions will be treated in like manner. Mr. Hegseth, you may continue.

[Pete Hegseth]

Well, as I'll say again, thank you for figuratively and literally having my back. I pledge to do the same for all of you. It's an honor to come before this committee today as President Donald Trump's nominee for the Office of secretary of defense. Two months ago, 77 million Americans gave President Trump a powerful mandate for change to put America first at home and abroad. I want to thank President Trump for his faith in me and his selfless leadership for our republic. The troops have no better commander in chief than Donald Trump. As I've said to many of you in private meetings, when President Trump chose me for this position, the primary charge he gave me was to bring the warrior culture back to the Department of Defense. He, like me, once a Pentagon laser focused on lethality, meritocracy, war fighting, accountability and readiness.

[Chairman Wicker]

You may continue, sir.

[Pete Hegseth]

Returning the Pentagon back to war fighting. That's it. That's my job.

[Chairman Wicker]

Mr. Hegseth, suspend your remarks. Let me just say this. The Capitol Police are going to remove immediately individuals that are disrupting the hearing. I see a pattern attempted to be inflicted on the committee, and we're simply not going to tolerate that. You may proceed to bring back war fighting.

[Pete Hegseth]

If confirmed, I'm going to work with President Trump and this committee to one, restore the warrior ethos to the Pentagon and throughout our fighting force. In doing so, we will re establish trust in our military, addressing the recruiting crisis, retention crisis and readiness crisis in our ranks.

[Chairman Wicker]

Members of the security force will rem. Mr. Heseth, you may. You may.

[Pete Hegseth]

The strength of our military is our unity and our shared purpose, not our differences. Number two, we're gonna rebuild our military, always matching threats to capabilities. This includes reviving our defense industrial base, reforming the acquisitions process. As you mentioned, Mr. Chairman, no more valley of death for new defense companies, modernizing our nuclear triad, ensuring the Pentagon can pass an audit, and rapidly fielding emerging technologies. And number three, we're going to reestablish deterrence. First and foremost, we will defend our homeland, our borders and our skies. Second, we will work with our partners and allies to deter aggression in the Indo Pacific from the Communist Chinese. And finally, we will responsibly end wars to ensure that we prioritize our resources to reorient to larger threats. We can no longer count on reputational deterrence. We need real deterrence. The Department of Defense under Donald Trump will achieve peace through strength. And in pursuing these America first national security goals will remain patriotically apolitical and stridently constitutional. Unlike the current administration, politics should play no part in military matters. We are not Republicans. We are not Democrats. We are American warriors. Our standards will be high and they will be equal, not equitable. That's a very different word. We need to make sure every warrior is fully qualified on their assigned weapon system. Every pilot's fully qualified and current on the aircraft they are flying, and every general or flag officer is selected for leadership or promotion purely based on performance, readiness and merit leaders at all levels will be held accountable, and war fighting and lethality and the readiness of the troops and their families will be our only focus. This has been my focus ever since I first put on the uniform as a young Army ROTC cadet at Princeton University in 2001. I joined the military because I love my country and felt an obligation to defend it. I served with incredible Americans in Guantanamo Bay, in Iraq, in Afghanistan, and on the Streets of Washington, D.C. many of which are with me here today. This includes enlisted soldiers I helped become American citizens and Muslim allies I helped immigrate from Iraq and Afghanistan because when I took off the uniform, my mission never stopped. Now it is true, and has been acknowledged, that I don't have a similar biography to defense secretaries of the last 30 years. But as President Trump also told me, we've repeatedly placed people atop the Pentagon with supposedly the right credentials, whether they are retired generals, academics or defense contractor executives. And where has it gotten us? He believes, and I humbly agree, that it's time to give someone with dust on his boots the helm a change agent. Someone with no vested interest in certain companies or specific programs or approved narratives. My only special interest is the warfighter deterring wars and if called upon, winning wars. By ensuring our warriors never enter a fair fight, we let them win and we bring them home. Like many of my generation, I've been there. I've led troops in combat. I've been on patrol for days. I've pulled a trigger downrange, heard bullets whiz by flex cuffed insurgents, called in close air support, led medevacs, dodged IEDs, pulled out dead bodies and knelt before a battlefield cross. This is not academic for me. This is my life. I led then and I will lead now. Ask anyone who's ever worked for me or with me. I know what I don't know my success as a leader and I very much look forward to discussing my organization's successes at Vets for Freedom and Concerned Veterans for America. I'm incredibly proud of the work that we've done. But my success as a leader has always been setting a clear vision, hiring people smarter and more capable than me, empowering them to succeed, holding everyone accountable, and driving toward clear metrics. Build the plan, work the plan, and then work harder than everyone else around you. I've sworn an oath to the Constitution before, and if confirmed, I will proudly do it again, this time for the most important deployment of my life. I pledge to be a faithful partner to this committee, taking input and respecting oversight. We share the Same goals. A ready, lethal military, the health and well being of our troops, and a strong and secure America.

[Gabby]

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[Pete Hegseth]

Thank you for the time and I look forward to your questions.

[Chairman Wicker]

Thank you very much, Mr. Hagseth. Before we begin with member questions, I would like to remind my colleagues that consistent with the bipartisan staff agreement from December, and in concert with exactly how this committee dealt with the last Secretary of Defense nominee, each member will be recognized for one round of seven minutes to question the nominee. Out of respect for the time of all members of this committee, the time limits will be tightly enforced. We've now been here 45 minutes and I think we've done very well with the time. But at this point, I will begin my questioning of the nominee. Mr. Hexis, you and your family have endured criticism of your nomination since it was announced in November. Let's get into this allegation about sexual assault, inappropriate workplace behavior, alcohol abuse and financial mismanagement during your time as a nonprofit executive. I should note that the majority of these have come from anonymous sources in liberal media publications. But I want to give you an opportunity to respond to these allegations, sir.

[Pete Hegseth]

Chairman. Thank you. Mr. Chairman. Thank you for that opportunity. You are correct. We undertook this responsibility with an obligation to the troops to do right by them for our war fighters. And what became very evident to us from the beginning There was a coordinated smear campaign orchestrated in the media against us. That was clear from moment one. And what we knew is that it wasn't about me. Most of it was about President Donald Trump, who's had to endure the very same thing for much longer amounts of time. And he endured it in incredibly strong ways. So we in some ways knew it was coming. We didn't understand the depth of the dishonesty that would come with it. So from story after story in the media, left wing media, we saw anonymous source after anonymous source based on second or third hand accounts. And time and time again, stories would come out and people would reach out to me and say, you know, I've spoken to this reporter about who you really are and I was willing to go on the record, but. But they didn't print my quote, they didn't print any of my quotes or I've worked with you for 10 years, or I was your accountant, or I was your chief operating officer, or I was your board member, or I was with you on 100 different tour stops for Concerned Veterans for America. No one called me. No one asked about your conduct on the record or off the record. Instead, a small handful of anonymous sources were allowed to drive a smear campaign and agenda about me. Because our left wing media in America today sadly doesn't care about the truth. All they were out to do, Mr. Chairman, was to destroy me. And why do they want to destroy me? Because I'm a change agent and a threat to them. Because Donald Trump was willing to choose me, to empower me, to bring the Defense Department back to what it really should be, which is war fighting. So I'm willing to endure these attacks, but what I will do is stand up for the truth and for my reputation. False attacks, anonymous attacks, repeated ad nauseam, printed as ad nauseam, as facts we have provided to the committee, Mr. Chairman, and I know you're going to share on the record statement after on the record statement from people who have served with me, worked with me at Fox News, concerned vets, vets for freedom, you name it, from the top of the chain to the bottom, who will say, I treat them with respect, with kindness, with dignity. That's men, that's women, that's black, that's white, that's every background. I have prided myself as a leader of respecting people, being professional. That is the balance of mind. I'm not a perfect person, as has been acknowledged, saved by the grace of God, by Jesus and Jenny. I'm not a perfect person, but redemption is real. And God forged me in ways that I know I'm prepared for. And I'm honored by the people standing and sitting behind me and look forward to leading this Pentagon on behalf of the war fighters.

[Chairman Wicker]

Thank you, Mr. Hegseth. And frankly, I'm sure there are millions of Americans watching who would agree that they've experienced that same a sort of redemption. So I do appreciate that. I realize it involves a little bearing of the soul, but thank you for that. Now, let's talk about top line defense spending. I have a plan. I think you've read it. I issued another plan, Freedoms Forge, which you've also had a chance to look at. And you have noted correctly that the current trend line of defense spending falling below 3% of our GDP is a threat to national security. You also said building the strongest, most powerful military in the world must be done responsibly, but it cannot be done on the cheap. You still agree with that, do you not?

[Pete Hegseth]

Yes, sir, I do.

[Chairman Wicker]

So tell us what you think about, particularly about my plan to make the Defense Department less bureaucratic, less top heavy, cut out some of the bureaucracy in layers, make it more, more friendly to startups and to new ideas contained in my 20 or so page white paper defending Freedoms Forge.

[Pete Hegseth]

Senator, I've had a chance to review the FORGED act, that paper. Those are precisely the kinds of ideas that need to be pursued and I look forward to working with this committee to ensure we cut the red tape, we incentivize innovation, we, we rebuild the defense industrial base, cut out the bureaucracy, all the things that are preventing the platforms and the tools from getting rapidly from our great defense companies here that should and those that want to compete into the hands of war fighters. But past his prologue on this, sir, and I would just look at what President Trump did after the drawdowns of lead from behind. Under President Obama, President Trump rebuilt our military. He didn't start wars, he ended them and he didn't allow wars to start on his watch. We've had the same kind of defense cuts under the Biden administration. And so look, I would, I would present to the committee the reputation of President Donald Trump and me coming alongside him to ensure we have peace through strength by rebuilding our military, investing as necessary. Going under 3%, Mr. Chairman, is very dangerous.

[Chairman Wicker]

Okay, we've got 45 seconds. Tell us in that point, get us started at least talking about deterring China and the Indo Pacific.

[Pete Hegseth]

It starts with priorities. The 2017 National Defense Strategy was the first step in reorienting away from simply entanglement in the Middle east, which our generation knows a lot about, and reorienting the behemoth that is the Pentagon toward new priorities, specifically the Indo Pacific. So that strategy has started and was barely followed through on under the Biden administration. So we're going to start by ensuring the institution understands that as far as threats abroad, the TCP is front and center, also, obviously defending our homeland as well.

[Chairman Wicker]

Thank you very much, Senator Reid. You are recognized.

[Senator Jack Reed]

Well, thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Before I begin my questioning, I would like to make three requests. First, many of my members would like a second round. That has been the custom. Senator Hagel was afforded three rounds. Senator Ash Carter, two rounds. And that was done by Republican chairman, with the consent and the appropriate guidance of Democrats. I must say, too, my recollection is I've never denied anyone the opportunity to ask the second round of questions as I chaired. I will request a second round.

[Stephen K. Bannon]

Second.

[Senator Jack Reed]

And my time is running. I think these are.

[Chairman Wicker]

Oh, yeah, you're using your time. No. If the timekeeper will pause the time, I must say I think we're going to have adequate time for questioning. I know Democrat members have coordinated their questions much as we have. We are following the same exact precedent on all things that we did with Secretary Austin. So I respectfully understand what you're saying, but I think we have an agreement. It's been known for quite some time, and I intend to stick with that agreement which we made last December. What is your second request?

[Senator Jack Reed]

Second, as been publicly reported. You and I have both seen the FBI background investigation of Mr. Hickstep. And I want to say for the record, I believe the investigation was insufficient. Frankly, there are still FBI obligations to talk to people. They have not had access to the forensic audit which I referenced to. And the person who had access to was quite critical of Mr. Hickstadt. I think people on both sides have suggested that they get the report. I know your colleagues have asked for it. Senator Thune assured me personally that he thought it was an appropriate idea. So I would ask, and I would say, too, as the precedent, one of President Trump's appointees had similar very complicated personal issues. The report was made available to all the members of the committee. We would be following precedent. I ask that that be made possible.

[Chairman Wicker]

Again, we are. There's been much discussion about this, and what I intend to do is follow the exact precedent that we've had for the last two hearings with regard to Secretaries of Defense, not only Secretary Austin, but Secretary Mattis eight years ago.

[Gabby]

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[Chairman Wicker]

And that was for the chair and the ranking member to see the report. And so that is my intention as chair of this committee.

[Senator Jack Reed]

Finally, Mr. Chairman, I have several letters that I would include for the record. One from Count Every Hero, which is an organization of retired four star generals and former Secretary of Defense that is critical of the proposed purge panels. One from a organization for domestic violence, one for a Council on American Relationship and also. Excuse me. And also several letters that raise questions. I would ask they be submitted for.

[Chairman Wicker]

The record without objection. They will be submitted. And Mr. Reed, your time is now expired. Just kidding. You're recognized for seven minutes.

[Senator Jack Reed]

Thank you. You're a very understanding chairman. I like that. I like that. Ms. Hegsett, you've written and it's quote. Oh yeah, and fire any general who hasn't carried water for Obama and Biden's extra constitution and agenda driven transformation for our military. Clean house and start over. It's come to my attention that current serving military personnel have received emails threatening them with being fired for supporting the current DoD policies. One mail that was sent to a military officer with the subject line clean house reminiscent of your specific comment states and I quote, with the incoming administration looking to remove disloyal, corrupt, traitorous liberal officers such as yourself, we will certainly be putting your name into the list of those personnel to be removed. We know you support the woke DEI policies and will ensure you never again influence anyone in the future. You and redacted spouse's name will be lucky if you're able to collect your military requirement. End quote. Now I Want to remind everyone that these policies that are being referred to date back decades. So the 1940s and 50s with respect to racial discrimination, particularly, and administrations of both parties, including the Trump administration and their first party, caused those policies to be enforced. Mr. Headset, are you aware of these emails being sent to offices?

[Pete Hegseth]

Senator, you mentioned the word accountability, which is something we have not had for the last four years.

[Senator Jack Reed]

Are you aware of these messages being sent to officers?

[Pete Hegseth]

Certainly, I'm not aware of that. It's not one of my efforts. But there's been no accountability for the disaster of the withdrawal in Afghanistan, and that's precisely why we're here today, is that leadership has been unwilling to take accountability. It's the time to restore that to our most senior ranks.

[Senator Jack Reed]

You have written publicly that DI policy is a distraction and have military personnel walking on eggshells. Do you believe that emails like that, that are essentially threatening both serving officer and a spouse and claiming that they'll lose their pension, will have a distraction and detract from the lethality?

[Pete Hegseth]

Senator, you mentioned the 40s and 50s, and you're precisely right. The military was a forerunner in courageous racial integration in ways no other institutions were willing to do. I served with men and women of all backgrounds because of the courage of people decades and decades ago. Incredibly important. However, the DEI policies of today are not the same as what happened back then. They're dividing troops inside formations, causing commanders to walk on eggshells, not putting meritocracy first. That's the indictment that's made by those serving right now.

[Senator Jack Reed]

Excuse me.

[Pete Hegseth]

And why we're having this conversation.

[Senator Jack Reed]

All of your public comments don't talk about meritocracy. They talk about liberal Democratic efforts that are destroying the military, that those people are our enemies. That's not meritocracy. That's a political view. And your goal, as I see emerging, is to politicize the military in favor of your particular positions, which you've outlined extensively, which would be the worst blow to the professionalism of the United States military and would undercut readiness, undercut retention. Because I can see officers receiving these emails beginning to wonder very seriously if they should continue. Let me change subjects for a moment here. You've been instrumental in securing pardons for several convicted war criminals. In at least two of these cases, the military personnel who served in combat with these convicted service members were not supportive of the pardons. They did their duty as soldiers to report war crimes. Your definition of lethality seems to embrace those people who do commit law crimes rather than those who stand up and say, this is not right. So what's the response to your service members who personally witnessed these and took courageously reported them to their superiors?

[Pete Hegseth]

Senator, as someone who's led men in combat directly and had to make very difficult decisions, I've thought very deeply about the balance between legality and lethality. Ensuring that the men and women on the front lines have the opportunity to destroy, with and close the enemy. And that lawyers aren't the ones getting in the way. I'm not talking about disavowing the laws of war or the Geneva Conventions or the Uniform Code of Military justice, sir. I'm talking about restrictive rules of engagement that these men and women behind me understand they've lived with on the battlefield, which has made it more difficult to defeat our enemies. In many of the cases you're talking about in particular, sir, there was evidence withheld, there was prosecutorial misconduct. And as someone who looks case by case and defaults to the war fighter, to the men and women with dust on their boots, not the second guessers in air conditioned offices in Washington D.C. excuse me. I look case by case and was proud to work with President Trump to understand those cases and ensure that our warriors are always looked out for.

[Senator Jack Reed]

Those cases were adjudicated by who? People in Washington or fellow non commissioned officers who had also served, sacrificed and believed in the ethic of the military. Who, who were the. Who were the court martial, Senator?

[Pete Hegseth]

In multiple cases they were actually acquitted. But charges lingered.

[Senator Jack Reed]

Yes.

[Pete Hegseth]

Regardless of where those competing authorities were?

[Senator Jack Reed]

Yes, sir, some were. But others were convicted. And you asked for pardon. That's the only reason you asked for pardon, because they were convicted. But the other factor too is you've already disparaged in writing the Geneva Convention, the rules of law, all of these things. How will you be able to effectively lead a military in which one of the principal elements is discipline, respect for lawful authority? You have made statements to your platoon after being briefed by a JAG officer. By the way, would you explain what a JAG off is?

[Pete Hegseth]

I don't think I need to, sir.

[Senator Jack Reed]

Why not?

[Pete Hegseth]

Because the men and women watching understand.

[Senator Jack Reed]

Well, perhaps some of my colleagues don't understand.

[Pete Hegseth]

It would be a JAG officer who puts his or her own priorities in front of the warfighters, their promotions, their medals in front of having the backs. Those are making the tough calls on the front lines.

[Chairman Wicker]

Thank you, Senator Reen.

[Senator Jack Reed]

Interesting.

[Chairman Wicker]

Thank you, Senator Reen.

[Senator Jack Reed]

Thank you very much, Senator Fischer.

[Senator Deb Fischer]

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And welcome, Mr. Hegseth, to. To you and to Your family. Thank you for the meeting that we had. We talked about a number of things. First and foremost was that nuclear weapons are foundational to our national defense. And having a safe, effective and credible nuclear deterrent underpins our alliances. And as you know, it deters our adversaries. Nuclear deterrence has been, and you and I, I believe, agreed on this. It must continue to be unequivocally the highest priority mission of the Department of Defense. But deterrence only works if our adversaries believe our nuclear forces are effective and credible. All three legs of our triad are undergoing that generational recapitalization programs, and we cannot afford any more delays in those programs. Sir, do you believe and agree with President Trump's 2018 Nuclear Posture Review that preventing adversary nuclear attacks is, quote, the highest priority of the United States?

[Pete Hegseth]

Senator? Yes, I do.

[Senator Deb Fischer]

If confirmed, will you commit to supporting all three legs of the nuclear triad and to using every tool available to deliver these systems on schedule?

[Pete Hegseth]

Senator Yes, I do. Because ultimately, our deterrence, our survival, is reliant upon the capability, the perception and the reality of the capability of our nuclear triad. We have to invest in its modernization for the defense of our nation.

[Senator Deb Fischer]

While former Secretaries of Defense have stated that nuclear deterrence is the highest priority, we haven't really seen that translated into budget requests or using the tools like the Defense Production Act. You've spoken about increasing lethality. You've spoken about getting programs done faster. How would you actually implement a culture change so that we can see these delivery schedules move forward, be rewarded? I can tell you in most every briefing we have, the schedules we're on are too late. So what would you do?

[Pete Hegseth]

Well, ultimately focus first on the things that are most important, as we have discussed, Senator, the nuclear triad, understanding whether it's B21.

[Stephen K. Bannon]

Welcome. Gabby, quick. Okay, you can bring the camera in or just put me on the side right now. We're going to do some. Okay, there we are. Pete is. That's Senator Deb Fischer from Nebraska asking questions about the nuclear triad. We're going to go back as soon as the Democrats. Look. It's Days of Thunder, the preamble. Pete Hexseth, who has been kind of a relentless onslaught both from the audience and from the Democrats. Senator Jack Reed, I think was an army officer, a scathing opening statement. We're going to try to play clips from that later, attacking Pete Hexis character, his support of, he said, war criminals, of trashing people in the Pentagon. Look, Pete Hegseth is an agent of change. This is going to be a very intense hearing. They've already asked for the Democrats. Jack Reid has already asked for two days. He's asked for an extension into tomorrow or maybe Thursday. That has not been granted for the audience. Understand that this is the kickoff to these confirmation hearings and they are going to come hard for President Trump's nominees. They're going to come hard for Pete Hegseth, they're going to come hard for Tulsi Gabbard, they're going to come hard for Bobby Kennedy, they're going to come hard for Cash Patel. And folks, they've already scheduled two days for Pam Bondi. Pam Bondi, who is really a compromise from Gates, and obviously we love Pam. We've known her for a long time. They've already scheduled two days for Pam Bondi. So don't think Pam Bondi is going to get. They're going to come hard at Pam Bondi over two days. We're going to try to cover this this week. As much as we can hear in War room in real America's voice going to be dipping in and out. What I want to do is we're going to go back because I think it's very instructive for the audience to see the angle of attack that Democrats are going to come at the Trump, at the second Trump administration. Pete Hexseth is really an agent of change. And what I mean by that is Pete is a young was a junior officer who served in combat, led troops in combat. He's got the warrior ethos. This was laid out by Mike Waltz, who I think is a lieutenant colonel in a Green Beret, who's the national security adviser for President Trump. And he laid out the warrior ethos. What President Trump's looking for is a radical kind of shakeup over the Pentagon. We don't fight wars to win wars. It's very much just a bunch of military bureaucrats. It's infected with this dei, all this nonsense of DEI and infects it. And General Jack Keane said, and I love General Keane, a really great man, a strong guy, said, oh, you know, we don't need Pete. You need somebody else. That DEI can be taken. Just president gives an order, it'll be the building will implement it. General, I beg to differ. I think you got to take this and get it out root and branch. Pete Hex is the guy to do that. Like I said, Denver and my own crack production team is going to give me a heads up as soon as we go back to Democrats. I want it because I want you to see this is the kickoff of how they're going to handle President Trump's nominees. And it's not going to be fair. Right? Nobody said this had to be fair. It should be. I mean, what it should be is very even handed because it's advice and consent. They're not going to look at it like this. They're going to look at it as political warfare. Their belief is President Trump does not get his selection of cabinet officials. He wants to work for him. They believe this is the opening salvo of, I would say, actually the way they're going to confront President Trump every day and really kick off to the 2026 midterms because they intend to take the House and impeach President Trump. You know that's coming. So, one, they're not going to take the House, but this is their intention today. You're going to see throughout the day. And I think this could go particularly if they want to stop it today and not have an additional day. This could go to 8 or 9 o'clock tonight or maybe even later if they stick to this, that they want to go through multiple rounds today and let everybody get their questions out and not have. And I would strongly recommend that Senator Wicker from Mississippi is the chairman of the Armed Services Committee. As folks know, the south, particularly on the Senate side, coming from that history of Senator Stennis and others, have a very strong, very strong influence on the Senate and the House Armed Services Committee. The House Armed Services Committee is Congressman Rogers from Alabama, Wicker's from Mississippi, and of course Wicker, the ever perceptive Jack Posobec put out there, that Wicker, if you notice when you cut to it, Wicker. And Jack, if you go to the. And I think I've got up on social media right now, Grace helped me get it up while we were doing the show here is that Wicker's got an American flag on its lapel, but he's also got a Ukrainian flag underneath it. And what I put up on social media, this shows you what President Trump's up against. The embedded infrastructure in the House and The Senate is 100%. The neocons and the warmongers are 100% down. With continuing on in Ukraine, we've put out, I think Kerry Donovan wrote up last night, the clips from yesterday's show where we tried to say, hey, look, we've seen Mike Waltz's comments on Fox over the weekend. We've seen, oh, let's go to the Democrat right now. Let's cut to this right away. Go to The Democrat. Let's cut back to the hearing to.

[Senator Tammy Duckworth]

Be Secretary of Defense.

[Gabby]

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[Senator Tammy Duckworth]

Fence from three administrations, two Democratic and one Republican. The first Trump administration. Every one of those nominees met with me and my Democratic colleagues on this committee before the hearing. So as you can imagine, I was disappointed when no one ever followed up. When we followed up with your office, you were not able to meet. Do you understand that if you're confirmed to be Secretary of Defense, that you will have a responsibility to meet with all members of this committee, not just Republicans.

[Pete Hegseth]

Senator, I very much appreciate and understand the traditionally bipartisan nature of this committee. Their national defense is not partisan. It should not be about Republicans or Democrats. And so I look forward to working together with you and your colleagues on priorities facing this nation.

[Senator Tammy Duckworth]

Yes, I think we would expect that. And one reason that I wanted to meet with you was because I thought it would be really helpful to better understand your views on women in the military because you've made a number of surprising statements about women serving in the military. As recently as November 7th of 2024 on the Sean Ryan show, you said, and I quote, I'm straight up saying that we should not have women in combat roles. It hasn't made us more effective. The quote went on a little longer, but that was the gist of it. That was before you were nominated to be secretary of defense. Mr. Hegseth, do you know what percentage of our military is comprised of women?

[Pete Hegseth]

I believe it's 18 to 20%, Senator.

[Senator Tammy Duckworth]

It's almost 18%. And in fact, DoD's 2023 demographic report indicated that there are more women serving now and there are fewer separations. So they make up a critical part of our military. Wouldn't you agree?

[Pete Hegseth]

Yes, ma'am. Women in our military, as I have said publicly, have and continue to make amazing contributions across all aspects of our battlefield.

[Senator Tammy Duckworth]

Well, you also write in your book the War on Warriors, with the chapter the Deadly Obsession with Women warriors, that, quote, not only are women comparatively less effective than men in combat roles, but they are more likely to be objectified by the enemy and their own nation in the moral realms of war. Mr. Hegseth, should we take it to believe that you believe that the two women on this committee who have served honorably and with distinction made our military less effective and less capable?

[Pete Hegseth]

I'm incredibly grateful for the two women who've served our military in uniform and including in the Central Intelligence Agency, contributions on the battlefield, indispensable contributions. Senator, I would like to clarify. When I'm talking about that issue, it's not about the capabilities of men and women. It's about standards. And this committee has talked a lot about standards. Standards. What that we unfortunately, over time, have seen eroded in certain duty positions, certain schools, certain places, which affects readiness, which is what I care about the most. Readiness.

[Senator Tammy Duckworth]

I appreciate that.

[Pete Hegseth]

And so my comments, however, time and time again, to standards.

[Senator Tammy Duckworth]

Your statements publicly have not been to that effect. After your nomination, you did state to a group of reporters that you, quote, support all women serving in our military today who do a fantastic job across the globe, including combat. So what I'm confused about, Mr. Hegseth, is which is it? Why should women in our military, if you were the Secretary of Defense, believe that they would have a fair shot and an equal opportunity to rise through the ranks? If, on the one hand, you say that women are not competent, they make our military less effective, and on the other hand, you say, oh, no, now that I've been nominated to be the Secretary of Defense, I've changed my view on women in the military. What do you have to say to the almost 400,000 women who are serving today about your position on whether they should be capable to rise through the highest ranks of our military?

[Pete Hegseth]

Senator, I would say I would be honored to have the opportunity to serve alongside you, shoulder to shoulder. Men and women, black, white, all backgrounds, with a shared purpose. Our differences are not what define us. Our unity and our shared purpose is what defines us. And you will be treated fairly and with dignity, honor and respect, just like every man and woman in uniform. Just like the men and women that I've worked with in my veterans organizations to include when I was a headquarters and headquarters company commander in the Minnesota National Guard.

[Senator Tammy Duckworth]

Well, I appreciate the 11th hour conversion, but Mr. Chairman, for the record, I would like to submit chapter five, the deadly obsession with women warriors. For the record. Mr. Hegseth?

[Chairman Wicker]

Without objection, it will be submitted.

[Senator Tammy Duckworth]

Are you familiar with the women peace and security agenda at the Department of Defense?

[Pete Hegseth]

Yes, ma'am, I am.

[Senator Tammy Duckworth]

This is a law that was signed during President Elect Trump's first term. It was legislation that I sponsored with Republican Senator Capito of West Virginia. It was co sponsored by Marco Rubio, the nominee to be the President Elect's Secretary of State. It was led in the House of Representatives by Kristi Noem, the President Elect's nominee to be the Secretary of Homeland Security. It mandates that women be included in all aspects of our national security, including conflict resolution and peace negotiations. And at the Department of Defense, it has been the law for eight years. Under both the Trump and Biden administrations, the DoD has incorporated women throughout its decision making. As a result, every single combatant commander across two administrations has told this committee that this law and its implementation at the Department of Defense provides them a strategic advantage operationally. Based on your comments, it appears that the example that you would like to set not only for women in this country, but for women across the globe, 50% of the world's population, as the prospective nominee to lead the most combat credible military in the entire world, is that women should not have an equal opportunity in our military. So will you commit to preserving the women peace and security law at DoD and including in your budget the requisite funding to continue to restore and resource these programs throughout the dod.

[Pete Hegseth]

Senator, I will commit to reviewing that program and ensuring it aligns with America first national security priorities, meritocracy, lethality and readiness. And if it advances American interests, it's something we would advance. If it doesn't, it's something we will.

[Senator Tammy Duckworth]

Former President Trump signed the law. I hope that he agrees with you.

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