Pete Hegseth was sworn in as President Trump’s defense secretary on January 25, 2025. In his inaugural address to the Defense Department, he outlined his priorities for the military, emphasizing a commitment to “put America first” and restore trust within the armed forces.
- Pete Hegseth sworn in as defense secretary
- Priorities include reviving warrior ethos
- Strengthening industrial base for military needs
- Focus on deterrence against China
- Commitment to end wars responsibly
Hegseth’s message targeted the Pentagon’s three million employees, including approximately 1.3 million uniformed personnel, highlighting key areas of focus during his tenure.
In his address, Hegseth emphasized three main priorities for the Pentagon. First, he aims to revive what he calls the “warrior ethos” and rebuild trust within the military ranks. Critics have questioned this need given that U.S. armed forces have been actively engaged in conflicts over recent years.
The second priority involves strengthening America’s industrial base for defense manufacturing. This initiative gained momentum following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine nearly three years ago and seeks to streamline processes involved in acquiring new weapons systems.
Lastly, Hegseth stressed the importance of re-establishing deterrence by defending U.S. territory and collaborating with allies in the Indo-Pacific region to counter China’s growing military influence. He also indicated support for President Trump’s goal of responsibly concluding ongoing wars, particularly referencing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.
Hegseth concluded by asserting that these initiatives would be pursued with an emphasis on lethality, accountability, meritocracy, standards, and readiness throughout the military framework.
This outline of Hegseth’s priorities marks a significant shift in U.S. defense strategy under President Trump’s administration as it focuses on internal military culture while addressing external threats from global adversaries like China.
