Rep. Mike Waltz, the incoming National Security Adviser, expressed steadfast support for President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of Pete Hegseth as Defense Secretary. During a conversation with Fox News host Jesse Watters, Waltz emphasized Trump’s commitment to Hegseth, stating, “He absolutely is,” in response to a question about the President-elect’s endorsement. Waltz, a retired Army Green Beret colonel, underscored Hegseth’s role as a reformative figure intended to address longstanding issues within the Pentagon. He noted that the troops have shown a positive reception to Hegseth, referring to them as vocal supporters who feel a sense of relief regarding his nomination.
Highlighting the significant challenges facing the Pentagon, Waltz pointed to the department’s repeated failures in audits, noting they had failed not once or twice, but seven times over the course of approximately fourteen years. This failure involved an astounding sum of over $800 billion, emphasizing the lack of accountability and oversight within the Department of Defense. Waltz’s comments illustrate his concern over fiscal mismanagement at such a high level, which he argues reflects deeper systemic issues that need to be remedied to restore integrity and efficiency to the Pentagon’s operations.
The recruitment crisis and declining military readiness are additional concerns raised by Waltz, who articulated the gravity of the situation by highlighting the exorbitant costs associated with military supplies. He recounted an instance from one of his hearings where he displayed a bag of bolts that, due to certification processes within the Department of Defense, had accumulated costs of $90,000. Such anecdotes serve to illustrate the financial inefficiencies prevalent within the military procurement system, a situation that Hegseth is expected to address vigorously as part of his mandate.
Waltz further articulated Hegseth’s philosophy towards military engagement, which he believes should transcend considerations of race, religion, and gender. He underscored that the threats faced by the military are indifferent to these characteristics, asserting that “our enemy’s bullets don’t care about race, religion, gender or anything else.” This statement reflects a mindset shift that Waltz hopes Hegseth will promote within the military, advocating for a focus on results and effectiveness over identity politics or social considerations within military strategy and operations.
Waltz’s comments also highlight a broader narrative about the need for transformational leadership within the Department of Defense, particularly in light of the perceived weaknesses of the current leadership. By framing Hegseth’s appointment as a necessary step towards reform, Waltz advocates for a more streamlined and effective military structure that can better address current global threats. The desire for reform is framed not just as a bureaucratic necessity but as a moral imperative to ensure that the military remains effective and prepared.
In summary, as the new National Security Adviser, Rep. Mike Waltz stands firmly behind the nomination of Pete Hegseth as Defense Secretary, framing it as a crucial move towards confronting significant challenges within the Pentagon. His concerns about financial accountability, recruitment difficulties, and military readiness highlight the urgent need for reform. Moreover, Waltz emphasizes a focus on mission effectiveness over social considerations in military operations, reflecting a desire for a pragmatic and results-oriented approach in defending national security.
