Additional Coverage:
- Hegseth says DOGE welcome at Pentagon as Defense Department reviews military posture globally (foxnews.com)
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, on his first international trip, visited US European Command and Africa Command in Stuttgart, Germany. He engaged in physical training with troops, emphasizing his commitment to direct interaction with service members.
Hegseth addressed reporters, discussing defense spending and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). He echoed President Trump’s call for increased defense spending, aiming for at least 3% of GDP.
He also welcomed potential collaboration with DOGE, led by Elon Musk, to identify and eliminate wasteful spending within the Pentagon. Hegseth believes this could save billions, redirecting funds to support warfighters.
Hegseth criticized the previous administration’s defense spending as insufficient and underscored President Trump’s dedication to military reinvestment. He distinguished the Defense Department’s mission from what he characterized as the “globalist agendas” of USAID, emphasizing a focus on warfighting and deterrence.
Regarding troop deployments, Hegseth stated there were no current plans for reductions but confirmed a review of global force posture was underway. He noted differences in strategic assumptions between the current and previous administrations.
Finally, Hegseth addressed the renaming of Fort Bragg, expressing pride in reverting the name from Fort Liberty. He clarified that the fort is now named after WWII hero Pfc.
Roland L. Bragg.