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Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth testified on Capitol Hill on Tuesday in the first of several hearings during the next week, in which he was grilled on the use of troops to quell protests in Los Angeles, funding for Ukraine’s war effort against Russia, and his repeated use of the phrase “warrior ethos.”
Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur told Hegseth: “When I hear warrior ethos, and I hear it a lot from you, Mr. Secretary, I’m concerned.”
“All the soldiers in our family, all of whom fought and received medals for their combat service, call themselves soldiers,” she added.
Hegseth refused to reveal the cost of the deployment of troops to Los Angeles, instead delegating the question to his special assistant, Bryn MacDonnell.
“The current estimated cost is $134 million, which is largely just TDY cost, travel, housing, food, etc,” she said.
Asked about support for the Ukraine security assistance initiative, Hegseth said there will be a “reduction in this budget.”
“This administration takes a very different view of that conflict,” he added. “We believe a negotiated, peaceful settlement is in the best interest of both parties and our nation’s interests, especially with all the competing interests around the globe.”
Gustaf Kilander11 June 2025 00:15
Pete Hegseth’s first congressional hearing as Defense Secretary was supposed to focus on budgetary matters, but the former soldier was not going to miss an opportunity to strike fear into the hearts of America’s enemies — in this case, a few hundred protesters in Los Angeles.
In his opening statement to the House Appropriations subcommittee, Hegseth delivered a made-for-Hollywood monologue about the U.S. military’s new “warrior ethos,” one that is focused squarely on “war fighting” and “lethality.”
Gustaf Kilander10 June 2025 23:30
Officials at the FBI and others were briefed on the investigation, The Journal reported, which focused on overseas visitors from Eastern Europe and elsewhere “who might have been trying to influence him.”
Gustaf Kilander10 June 2025 22:45
Trump wrapped up his remarks at Fort Bragg with the words “Whatever peril comes our way, whatever matters threatens our people, you will stand strong.”
He continued: “You will be proud. You will charge hard, and you will keep that flame lit, that beautiful, beautiful flame. You’re going to keep it lit.”
“You will hold the flag high, and you will do something that’s become quite a famous little phrase also, but you’re a hell of a lot braver than me,” he added, before referencing his words following the assassination attempt against him last summer. “You will fight, fight, fight, and you will win, win, win. Thank you. God bless you. God bless our soldiers and God bless the US Army.”
Gustaf Kilander10 June 2025 22:21
Trump once again brought up trans issues during his speech at Fort Bragg.
“Under the Trump administration, we’re focused on restoring the spirit of the US armed forces,” he said. “No soldier ever volunteered for the army to be lectured about transgender diversity or inclusion.”
“America’s patriots joined the army to kick down doors, storm beaches, kill terrorists, and win America’s wars. That’s what we want, and that’s what you want,” he told the assembled soldiers.
Gustaf Kilander10 June 2025 22:12
President Donald Trump on Tuesday claimed he would restore the names of Confederate traitors who fought to keep Black people enslaved to American military bases across the country despite Congress mandating their removal in a law enacted over his veto five years ago.
Speaking to active duty troops at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, Trump told the assembled soldiers he would be restoring the names of Fort Pickett, Fort Hood, Fort Rucker, Fort Polk, Fort AP Hill and Fort Robert E Lee, all of which were placed on facilities in the Southern United States — the former pro-slavery confederacy — by racist lawmakers who sought to honor the “Lost Cause” of the fight against emancipating Black people from slavery.
Gustaf Kilander10 June 2025 22:10
Rand Paul has become the first Republican senator to break ranks on President Donald Trump’s military parade, comparing it to North Korea.
Gustaf Kilander10 June 2025 22:00
Trump interrupted his speech as someone in the audience needed medical attention.
“Are you okay? Darling? You all right? You take your time. Please, doctor, Please, doctor, doctor, in the house,” he said.
The president noted that the audience had “been waiting here a long time.”
Gustaf Kilander10 June 2025 21:56
Gustaf Kilander10 June 2025 21:51
Trump issued a warning to Europe regarding “uncontrolled migration.”
“What’s happened so quickly, as the entire world can now see, uncontrolled migration leads to chaos, dysfunction and disorder,” he said.
“And you know what? They have it in Europe too. It’s happening in many of the countries of Europe,” he claimed. “They don’t like it when I say it, but I’ll say it loudly and clearly. They better do something before it’s too late.”
Gustaf Kilander10 June 2025 21:51