More than 100 Navy SEAL veterans are preparing to march in Washington, DC, to demonstrate their support for Pete Hegseth, the nominee for Defense Secretary. The event is spearheaded by Navy SEAL veteran Bill “Freak” Brown, who is also the founder of the New York City SEAL Swim across the Hudson River—an event in which Hegseth has participated multiple times over the years. Alec Lace, host of The Alec Lace Show and a veteran himself, shared insights with Breitbart News about the march, emphasizing Hegseth’s significant role in championing the SEAL Swim. As Hegseth faces confirmation hearings, Lace noted that the veterans are rallying to show their solidarity, illustrating the strong bond between Hegseth and the SEAL community.
The roster of participants includes not only Navy SEALs but also veterans from the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps, as well as Gold Star parents and members of the New York Fire Department. Notable figures like Jason Redman, Rob O’Neill, and retired Army Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn will take part in the march. The event is designed to coincide with Hegseth’s Senate confirmation hearing, highlighting the united front that various military personnel and their families are displaying in support of their fellow veteran. Lace expressed that the list of supporters continues to grow, encouraging any patriotic veteran to join the march in support of Hegseth.
Support for Hegseth has been bolstered by notable endorsements, including a video from Redman, who articulated a strong case for Hegseth’s understanding of military needs, framing the military’s purpose as primarily focused on national defense rather than social experimentation. This kind of advocacy is particularly poignant as Hegseth faces a targeted campaign of anonymous allegations aimed at undermining his candidacy. While detractors utilize smear tactics to diminish his standing among Republican senators, the growing show of unity from military communities is counteracting these efforts, presenting a compelling narrative of Hegseth as a knowledgeable and capable candidate for the role of Secretary of Defense.
Lace elaborated on the deep connection between Hegseth and the veteran community, emphasizing that Hegseth has consistently supported military personnel and their causes. The respect veterans have for him became evident during community events, such as the SEAL Swim, where camaraderie among service members is apparent. Lace conveyed that veterans’ assessments carry more weight than the opinions of political pundits, particularly those advocating against Hegseth. This sentiment reveals a belief within the veteran community that personal experience and shared service create a stronger basis for support than the often speculative analyses of media figures.
The enthusiasm for Hegseth’s candidacy among veterans is tied to their discontent with the perceived decline of military effectiveness under recent leadership, particularly regarding the integration of “woke” ideologies within the military ranks. Lace reiterated that veterans want to see a reversal of this trend and a re-establishment of military readiness and strength. Their participation in the march is not merely a show of support for Hegseth but symbolizes a broader desire for substantial changes within military leadership to ensure it remains focused on its primary objectives.
Ultimately, Lace anticipates a significant turnout for the march in support of Hegseth, which could be a pivotal moment highlighting veteran solidarity. He encouraged anyone wanting to join this wave of support to participate, signaling that the collective voice of these veterans is essential in advocating for the kind of leadership they believe the military needs. The growing engagement from various sectors of the military community underscores the potency of veterans’ voices in shaping discussions about military leadership and direction moving forward.