Federalist Radio Hour
Episode: Inside Pete Hegseth’s Pentagon Transformation Operation
Date: February 13, 2026
Host: Matt Kittle
Guest: Justin Fulcher, Former Senior Advisor to Secretary of War Pete Hegseth
Episode Overview
This episode dives deep into the sweeping changes at the newly branded Department of War under Secretary Pete Hegseth and President Trump’s second term. Host Matt Kittle speaks with Justin Fulcher about how Hegseth reoriented the Pentagon's mission, tackled waste and inefficiency, and asserted American power globally, addressing both internal challenges and landmark military operations including strikes in Iran and the capture of Nicolas Maduro.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Culture Change at the Pentagon
Timestamps: [01:24] – [03:04]
- Fulcher describes a "tremendous" shift from distractions (DEI, climate change) to a laser focus on warfighting.
- Quote: “We’ve seen…a cultural shift and getting back to focusing on what matters, which is war fighting and being prepared…to ultimately pursue the peace through strength agenda.” – Justin Fulcher [01:41]
- Increased efficiency and quicker equipping of warfighters are central to Hegseth’s reforms.
2. Readiness and Realignment
Timestamps: [03:04] – [04:17]
- Major systematic changes have “realigned our military…to focus on what actually matters.”
- Fulcher points to a “very clear, mission focused and aligned organization," crediting Hegseth for clarity and preparedness.
3. Challenging the Military-Industrial Complex
Timestamps: [04:17] – [05:56]
- Hegseth is “challenging the status quo,” demanding accountability from both Pentagon staff and contractors.
- “He is absolutely pursuing accountability to make sure that this defense industrial base is completely restarted so…all of the capabilities can be in the hands of war fighters very quickly.” – Fulcher [05:18]
4. Procurement and Technology Innovation
Timestamps: [06:15] – [07:45]
- Focus on rapid adoption of military technology, citing the “drone dominance initiative” and dramatically reducing timelines for acquiring new systems.
- Attention to opening contracts to innovative firms, not just “the large defense primes.”
5. Deficiencies Inherited and Waste Reduction
Timestamps: [07:45] – [11:51]
- Fulcher recounts the “honest gap analysis” done upon entering office, arguing there was significant neglect under the Biden administration.
- Waste defined in two categories:
- Overcharging (e.g., 10-20x markup)
- Delivery delays (programs 5-10 years late)
- “The Pentagon was a target rich environment for waste, fraud and abuse, unfortunately.” – Fulcher [10:24]
6. Historic Perspective and Institutional Problems
Timestamps: [11:51] – [14:29]
- Reference to the “Golden Fleece Award” and a long history of Pentagon waste.
- “Government waste, fraud and abuse…are not partisan problems.” – Fulcher [13:17]
- Highlights the difficulty and importance of rooting out entrenched waste due to lobbying and vested interests.
7. Media and Political Scrutiny
Timestamps: [14:29] – [22:43]
- Kittle and Fulcher discuss “full fire” from the Democratic Party and “corporate media” against Hegseth.
- Despite this, Hegseth is described as unflappable: “his tenacity and focus, it’s almost wasted energy to try to go after him.” – Fulcher [16:54]
- Notable missions discussed: Operation Midnight Hammer, the Maduro raid.
8. Troop Morale and Hegseth’s Popularity
Timestamps: [22:43] – [23:39]
- Fulcher shares a standout moment at Guam, recalling “hundreds of men and women in uniform…cheering, incredibly fired up.”
- Emphasizes the department “actually serving the people that matter, not corporate interests, but our men and women in uniform.”
9. Iran: Strikes and Deterrence
Timestamps: [23:39] – [30:10]
- Fulcher gives an insider view on the decision to target Iranian nuclear bunkers; the intent was precise action with minimal risk to troops.
- “Any use of force…is something that…the President, Secretary Hegseth and …every single connected with…took extremely seriously.” – Fulcher [24:25]
- Strikes described as “incredibly successful," but immediately spun by media as failures.
- On deterrence: “[Iran] knows that when President Trump speaks, he means what he says and he's prepared to back it up with force...” – Fulcher [30:10]
10. Venezuela: Maduro’s Capture
Timestamps: [31:15] – [34:18]
- Fulcher discusses the high-profile operation to seize Nicolas Maduro and the ensuing criticism from U.S. Marxist politicians.
- “Maduro was captured alive. I mean, how impressive is that?...The US Military under the leadership of Secretary Hegseth and President Trump...deserve enormous credit.” – Fulcher [32:32]
- Operation compared favorably with Noriega’s 1989 capture; “mission truly accomplished.”
11. Venezuela’s Future & Global Impact
Timestamps: [34:18] – [35:59]
- Free market access to Venezuelan oil seen as consequential for Venezuela, Russia (via added economic pressure), and wider geopolitics.
12. Russian and Ukrainian Dynamics
Timestamps: [36:00] – [39:15]
- Fulcher believes the capture of Maduro “sent a very clear and strong message” to adversaries, especially Russia.
- Trilateral peace talks in Abu Dhabi attributed in part to renewed U.S. credibility.
- Fulcher is hopeful: “There’s a lot of converging factors that suggest this [Ukraine war] is getting wrapped up, hopefully, much sooner than later.” – [38:21]
13. Greenland’s Strategic Importance
Timestamps: [39:30] – [42:48]
- Kittle and Fulcher discuss why Greenland matters—strategically, resource-wise, and as a power-projection platform.
- “Greenland goes far beyond just the territory and basing rights…it’s really about whether the U.S. and its allies can control these modern choke points.” – Fulcher [40:24]
- The final U.S.-Greenland agreement aligns with the “America First” agenda but always keeps military options “in the back pocket.”
14. America’s Global Stance and the Midterms
Timestamps: [42:48] – [44:33]
- Fulcher says America is “back” and “needs to be taken seriously and respected again.”
- Predicts that revitalized U.S. military posture and respect abroad will benefit Trump’s party in the midterms.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “He [Hegseth] could literally do anything and then get criticized. And that, ultimately, I think it speaks to his character of…having that resolve under pressure…” – Justin Fulcher [20:12]
- “Maduro was captured alive. I mean, how impressive is that?” – Fulcher [32:32]
- “America is back.” – Fulcher [43:39]
Important Segments & Timestamps
- Departmental Culture Shift: [01:41] – [03:04]
- Holding Contractors Accountable: [04:17] – [05:56]
- Procurement Innovation: [06:15] – [07:45]
- Waste & Fraud at the Pentagon: [10:24] – [13:17]
- Operation Midnight Hammer & Media Response: [16:54] – [20:12]
- Iran Precision Strikes: [23:39] – [27:19]
- Maduro Operation: [31:15] – [33:17]
- Greenland’s Strategic Role: [39:30] – [42:48]
- Midterms and Global Reputation: [42:48] – [44:33]
Tone & Style
The conversation is candid, self-assured, and frequently critical of both media and the political left, mirroring the assertive tone of the Trump administration. Both the host and Fulcher maintain a spirit of resolve and emphasis on “peace through strength,” while blending historical context, policy specifics, and vivid storytelling from inside America’s defense transformations.
This summary captures the full arc of the discussion for listeners seeking both a policy-level breakdown and an insider’s perspective on recent historic military changes and operations.