New U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth promised more changes are coming to the country’s military before even walking through the doors of the Pentagon.
Hegseth, a decorated veteran and a former Fox News host, was greeted just outside the Pentagon by General Charles Brown, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, after arriving for his first full day of work.
Hegseth said serving as defense secretary was the honor of a lifetime, telling reporters that the Defense Department will operate at a faster tempo.
"The lawful orders of the president of the United States will be executed inside this Defense Department swiftly and without excuse,” Hegseth said. "We're going to hold people accountable.”
Hegseth won Senate confirmation late Friday by a 51-50 vote, with Vice President JD Vance casting the tie-breaking ballot.
He was sworn in on Saturday and spoke Sunday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in what the Pentagon described as an “introductory call.”
"We will be no better friend to our allies and no stronger adversary to those who want to test us and try us," Hegseth told reporters Monday before entering the Pentagon.
He said that President Donald Trump is expected to sign additional executive orders on Monday impacting the military, including orders calling for a U.S. version of Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system, the removal of all diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives from the Pentagon, and the reinstatement of troops forced to leave the military after refusing to get the COVID-19 vaccination.
Hegseth also said the Pentagon will make sure Trump has all the resources needed to secure the U.S. southern border.
“Whatever is needed at the border will be provided,” the defense secretary said. "This is a shift. It's not the way business has been done in the past."
“The Defense Department will support the defense of the territorial integrity of the United States of America, the southern border, to include reservists, National Guard and active duty in compliance with the Constitution and the laws of our land and the directives of the commander in chief," he added.
Asked about the fate of Afghans who worked alongside the United States before the U.S. withdrawal in August 2021, Hegseth said, “We’re going to make sure there's accountability for what happened in Afghanistan and that we stand by our allies.”
Hegseth also deflected questions about whether he plans to fire the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff.
"I'm standing with him right now," Hegseth said. "I look forward to working with him."
