Under fire over alleged national security leaks and facing calls for his removal, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth delivered a forceful speech Wednesday at the U.S. Army War College, underscoring his vision for the military’s future.
Speaking to a packed audience of students, faculty, and military families, Hegseth emphasized the importance of physical readiness among troops, declaring that American forces must be prepared for real combat situations. “They need to be fit, not fat. Sharp, not shabby. Especially, our leaders,” he said from the stage, drawing strong reactions from the audience.
The former Fox News host’s tough rhetoric echoed a similar statement he made in March on the social media platform X, where he posted: “Our troops will be fit, not fat. Our troops will look sharp, not sloppy. We seek only quality, not quotas. BOTTOM LINE: our @DeptofDefense will make standards HIGH and GREAT again – across the entire force.”
Hegseth’s appearance came just days after reports surfaced alleging that he had once again leaked sensitive military information — this time involving U.S. operations in Yemen. The leak, reportedly sent from his personal phone to a group of 13 people, including his wife and brother, allegedly detailed flight times and target coordinates of U.S. fighter jets.
At the White House Easter Egg Roll earlier this week, Hegseth pushed back against the allegations. “This is what the media does. They take anonymous sources, disgruntled former employees, and they try to slash and burn people and ruin their reputations,” he said. “Not gonna work with me because we’re changing the Defense Department, putting the Pentagon back in the hands of warfighters.”
During his Wednesday address, Hegseth also invoked ideological themes, stating, “Leaving wokeness, weakness behind,” a remark that was met with applause by some and criticism by others online.
Despite his defiant tone, political pressure appears to be mounting. NPR reported that the White House has begun the search for a replacement following Hegseth’s second security-related controversy during his short time in office. A U.S. official, speaking anonymously, confirmed the report to the outlet.
White House Deputy Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt quickly responded, calling the NPR report “fake news.” As questions swirl about his future at the Pentagon, Hegseth remains steadfast in his vision — one marked by traditional military values and open resistance to what he calls “media attacks.” Whether that vision will be enough to keep his job remains uncertain.
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