Hegseth Comments On Coverage
After months of sustained political attacks and negative media coverage, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is going on the offensive — and he’s doing so from a position of strength. With U.S. military recruitment numbers surging and combat readiness reportedly back on track, Hegseth is rejecting the criticism and claiming victory where it matters most: on the ground, in the ranks, and on the global stage.
In a candid interview with Fox News, Hegseth framed the media onslaught against him as part of a broader campaign to undermine former President Donald Trump’s administration. “They want to tear him down, his agenda down, and his voters down,” he said. “Because I support him fully… they’re gonna come at me in any way possible. To that I say, bring it on.”
Hegseth has made it clear that his mission at the Pentagon is about getting back to basics—lethality, readiness, and restoring what he calls the “warrior ethos.”
According to Hegseth, that starts with reversing the damage inflicted by the prior administration’s social engineering within the military. “We had our troops being called extremists, or being forced to take an experimental vaccine, or being judged by the color of their skin,” he said. “That’s not the focus anymore.”
"Bring it on!" @SecDef Pete Hegseth just blasted the press for the negative coverage of him — & revealed that the men and women of the military have his back.
"Forget the press! The notes I get from privates, and from captains, and from new recruits — THAT'S what fuels us!" pic.twitter.com/c4PbapZjiT
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) May 19, 2025
Instead, Hegseth has emphasized a return to discipline, cohesion, and combat training. That message appears to be resonating with troops and prospective service members alike. As of mid-April, the U.S. Army had already enlisted 51,837 new recruits, reaching 85% of its 60,000 target for fiscal year 2025—with five months still to go. The Marines, Navy, and Air Force are also reporting significant increases in recruitment.
This dramatic turnaround comes after years of missed recruitment goals, sagging morale, and a perceived lack of focus under the Biden administration. Critics of that era pointed to an overemphasis on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, gender ideology, and politically driven promotions—often at the expense of merit-based leadership and mission readiness.
The turnaround under Hegseth hasn’t just been administrative—it’s been operational. A prime example is the recent success in the Red Sea, where U.S. bombing campaigns forced the Iran-backed Houthi rebels to sue for peace. For the first time in years, commercial vessels are passing safely through the Suez Canal, a major reversal from the chaos that marked the region during the previous administration.
Whereas Houthis once targeted ships without fear of retaliation, the renewed offensive under Hegseth’s leadership sent a clear message: American deterrence is back. The Pentagon, now laser-focused on lethality and strategic clarity, is delivering tangible results, both in recruitment centers and on the battlefield.