Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth used a speech to active-duty military personnel to push back against progressive policies within the Department of Defense, framing his remarks as part of a broader effort to eliminate what he described as "woke" influences in the military. The address also included criticism of media coverage regarding the conflict involving Iran, signaling a shift in tone toward both internal military culture and external press scrutiny. Hegseth’s remarks covered a range of topics, from ideological concerns to perceived biases in reporting, marking a direct challenge to recent trends in defense policy and public discourse. The speech reflects ongoing tensions between traditionalist military values and evolving social movements within the armed forces.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made a flurry of announcements during a wide-ranging speech to active-duty officers Wednesday. At the beginning of the address, the Pentagon chief stuck to his bread and butter: culture-war grievances, stripping the “woke” out of the Department of Defense (DOD), bashing the news media for its coverage of the Iran war,...
