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Nominee Hegseth frames priorities as ‘warrior culture’ and readiness in opening at 2025 confirmation hearing
Summary
At a 2025 confirmation hearing, President Trump’s nominee for secretary of defense, Mister Hegseth, emphasized restoring a ‘warrior ethos,’ rebuilding the defense industrial base, and reestablishing deterrence. A brief audience interruption drew intervention by authorities and a rebuke from the hearing chair.
Mister Hegseth, President Trump’s nominee for secretary of defense, told a confirmation hearing that, if confirmed, he would “bring the warrior culture back to the Department of Defense,” prioritize readiness and lethality, and rebuild the defense industrial base.
In a prepared opening statement, Hegseth said he would focus on restoring trust in the military by addressing recruiting, retention and readiness shortfalls; reforming acquisitions so new defense companies do not fall into a “valley of death;” modernizing the nuclear triad; ensuring the Pentagon can pass an audit; and rapidly fielding emerging technologies. “The Department of Defense under Donald Trump will achieve peace through strength,” he said.
Hegseth framed those priorities as part of an “America First National Security” approach and said the department must be “patriotically apolitical and stridently constitutional.” He called for selection and promotion of senior leaders “purely based on performance, readiness, and merit” and said standards should be “equal, not equitable.”
The nominee recounted his military service, including deployments to Guantánamo Bay, Iraq and Afghanistan, and said his focus would be the “war fighter.” He described his leadership philosophy as setting a clear vision, hiring capable people and holding them accountable. He also thanked mentors and family, including former senator Norm Coleman and “Colonel Mike Waltz,” and said he looks forward to working with the committee if confirmed.
The hearing was briefly disrupted when a commenter shouted, “You are a misogynist.” Chairman Wicker thanked authorities for their “swift reaction” to the outburst and warned that similar interruptions would be treated the same; the chair then told Hegseth he could continue.
No formal votes or committee actions were recorded in the transcript excerpt provided. The remarks in the excerpt consisted of Hegseth’s opening statement and the chair’s responses to a disruption; the record does not show subsequent questioning or any committee decisions.
Hegseth closed by reiterating his pledge to “be a faithful partner to this committee, taking input and respecting oversight,” and saying he looks forward to questions from senators.
