Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN) offered an eye-opening glimpse into the impact of leadership on U.S. military morale during a weekend interview on ABC’s This Week.
Hagerty revealed that President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, has already inspired some U.S. service members to reconsider their plans to leave the armed forces. His remarks highlighted the stark contrast between current military challenges and the vision for revitalized leadership.
Hagerty, addressing misconduct allegations against Hegseth that recently resurfaced, expressed confidence in the former Army veteran and Fox News personality. “Pete is a very talented individual,” Hagerty remarked, underscoring Hegseth’s track record and leadership qualities.
According to Hagerty, Hegseth’s nomination has prompted active-duty personnel to reach out, declaring they’ve decided to re-enlist because of his potential leadership at the Pentagon.
“I talked with him earlier this week,” Hagerty said, recounting how service members shared their renewed optimism. “‘I was thinking about getting out,’ they told him, ‘but now that you’ve come to lead us, Pete, I’m going to stay in.’” Hagerty characterized this as a testament to Hegseth’s ability to inspire and lead during a time when military recruitment and retention are pressing issues.
Senator @BillHagertyTN says he spoke to incoming Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Pete told him patriots in our military are re-enlisting after news broke of his nomination. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/A5u15LYEpe
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) November 24, 2024
Hagerty also criticized recent priorities within the Department of Defense, taking aim at what he described as misplaced focus.
“The Pentagon has been more focused on pronouns than they have lethality the past four years,” he stated, arguing for a return to mission readiness and operational strength. “We need to get back to business, and I think Pete is just the person to do it.”
While Hegseth’s nomination remains controversial, particularly given the resurfaced allegations, Hagerty urged viewers not to let these distractions overshadow the larger issue at hand. His remarks painted a broader picture of the current challenges facing the military—a recruitment crisis, a retention problem, and concerns about maintaining the force’s effectiveness.