Hegseth's unserious address again shows his unfitness for office

Nearly two years into serving as the Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth has not distanced himself from his previous role as a Fox News broadcaster. During a recent "State of the Force" address at Quantico, Hegseth once again displayed his penchant for waging a cultural battle and providing superficial statements rather than focusing on managing the Pentagon.

The speech bore strong resemblance to a spectacle from the previous year, where Hegseth and his self-promoting president, Donald Trump, addressed over 800 emotionally detached generals and admirals. They complained about "woke" policies – those intended to ensure minorities and women were treated fairly and professionally – claiming they had weakened the military.

Uncomfortable with the political undertones, many present at the event displayed signs of unease. This time, Hegseth opted for a gathering of junior officers and enlisted personnel, likely anticipating a more favorable reception. Regrettably, they delivered on his expectations, applauding his inflammatory speech. Hegseth recycled offensive phrases, stating, "No fatties, no trannies, no beardo"