Secretary of Protection Pete Hegseth arrived for his first day on the Pentagon on Monday with a message concerning the Division of Protection’s (DOD’s) mission.
Greeted by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Workers Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. and a gaggle of reporters, Hegseth mentioned it was “an honor to serve on behalf of the president and serve on behalf of the country,” including, “The warfighters are ready to go.”
Hegseth shortly turned to the border disaster, acknowledging how President Donald Trump was “hitting the ground running” with govt orders declaring an emergency on the southern border and designating cartels overseas terrorist organizations. Hegseth mentioned the DOD “snapped to” final week in sending extra troops to assist in erecting limitations alongside the southern border, in addition to to “ensure mass deportations,” including: “That is something the Defense Department absolutely will continue to do.”
“He’s made it very clear. There is an emergency at the border,” Hegseth mentioned. “The protection of the sovereign territory of the United States is the job of the Defense Department.”
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Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth arrives on the Pentagon on Monday, Jan. 27, 2025. (AP Photograph/Kevin Wolf)
Final week, the Protection Division introduced 1,500 active-duty service members and “additional air and intelligence assets” have been being despatched to the southern border “to augment troops already conducting enforcement operations in that region.”
When requested if extra troops could be deployed to the border now that he’s taking the helm, Hegseth mentioned, “Whatever is needed at the border will be provided. Whether that is through state active duty, Title 32 or Title 10, because we are reorienting.”
“This is a shift. This is not the way things have been done in the past,” Hegseth mentioned. “The Defense Department will support the defense of the territorial integrity of the United States at the southern border to include reservists, National Guard and active duty with compliance with the Constitution, the laws of our land, and the directives of the commander in chief.”
Hegseth, a fight veteran who deployed to Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, Iraq and Afghanistan, mentioned he anticipated extra govt orders from the White Home later Monday. These would come with orders to take away variety, fairness and inclusion contained in the Pentagon, reinstate troops who have been “pushed out” over COVID-19 vaccine mandates and to implement the development of an “Iron Dome for America,” Hegseth instructed reporters, vowing to adjust to Trump’s directives “rapidly and quickly.”
Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth, middle proper, talks to members of the press after arriving on the Pentagon on Monday, Jan. 27, 2025 in Washington, D.C. (AP Photograph/Kevin Wolf)
“Every moment I am here I am thinking about the guys and gals in Guam, in Germany, in Fort Benning, in Fort Bragg, on missile defense sites and aircraft carriers,” Hegseth mentioned. “Our job is lethality and readiness and warfighting.”
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“We hold people accountable. I know the chairman agrees with that,” Hegseth, who most just lately was a Fox Information host earlier than Trump nominated him to guide the Protection Division, continued. “The lawful orders of the President of the United States will be executed in this Defense Department swiftly and without excuse. We will be no better friend to our allies and no stronger adversary for those who want to test us and try us.”
Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth, proper, pats Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Workers Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. on his shoulder as he solutions questions from reporters after arriving on the Pentagon on Monday, Jan. 27, 2025 in Washington, D.C. (AP Photograph/Kevin Wolf)
When requested a few wristband he was sporting, Hegseth mentioned he wore it each day to recollect Jorge Oliveira, a soldier he served with in Guantánamo Bay when he was a platoon chief. Oliveira was later killed in Afghanistan whereas Hegseth was there in a separate unit.
“It’s these guys that we do this for. Those who have given the ultimate sacrifice,” Hegseth mentioned.
The secretary was additionally requested about help for Afghans who labored with the U.S. authorities. Final week, Trump issued an govt order pausing all U.S. overseas improvement assist for 90 days pending an evaluation into whether or not the funds align together with his administration’s overseas coverage. Reuters reported that flights for about 40,000 Afghans who have been permitted for particular visas following former President Joe Biden’s botched withdrawal have been suspended consequently.
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“We are going to make sure there is accountability for what happened in Afghanistan, and we stand by our allies,” Hegseth mentioned.
