President Trump defended using troops in U.S. cities whereas Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth advised navy commanders about new bodily health and grooming necessities for uniformed personnel.
SCOTT DETROW, HOST:
President Trump and his protection secretary, Pete Hegseth, each addressed tons of of senior generals and admirals at a base outdoors of Washington, D.C., at the moment. The assembly itself was extremely uncommon as navy gatherings go, however the message was normal for the Trump administration. President Trump berated his predecessors, like President Joe Biden, tried to get generals and admirals who’ve pledged to be nonpartisan to applaud, and once more known as for the navy to be deployed to Democratic-run cities. And Secretary Hegseth introduced extra insurance policies aiming to develop what he calls a warrior ethos and eradicate what he calls woke components within the navy. For response, now we have reached U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth, an Illinois Democrat who’s on the Senate Armed Companies Committee and who additionally flew Military helicopters in fight missions through the Iraq Struggle. Senator, thanks for approaching.
TAMMY DUCKWORTH: It is my pleasure. Thanks for having me.
DETROW: I wish to stroll by way of a number of particular issues Secretary Hegseth stated at the moment as a result of all of them get to those broader themes of his Pentagon management. First off, he stated the aim of his division can be solely struggle combating. He went on to problem U.S. adversaries with the time period FAFO, which is an acronym you and I each know the which means to however I am advised I can not say on the radio, mainly, daring different international locations to problem the U.S. What do you make of that basic message and that framing of it?
DUCKWORTH: Properly, I believe it exhibits how weak he’s as a secretary of protection, proper? That is the type of bluster you see. The individuals within the navy who’re actually lethal are those who’re essentially the most quiet. And what you’ve got acquired here’s a secretary of protection who failed as an Military officer. I imply, he is the least-qualified secretary of protection in historical past. We have a five-time draft dodger for a president. This entire factor was an ego stroke for them to have the ability to arise in entrance of a bunch of flag officers. And on the finish of the day, it did nothing to enhance the readiness of our navy. And if something, it wasted hundreds of thousands of taxpayer {dollars} by flying all of those flag officers into Washington, D.C., when they need to have been out coaching and making ready their troops for battle.
DETROW: I am curious. To you, is that only a extra colourful method of claiming peace by way of energy, which is one thing that you’ve got heard throughout administrations for many years? Do you might have any particular worries that the secretary appears overly desirous to get right into a battle?
DUCKWORTH: Yeah, I imply, each Trump and Hegseth wish to get into battle, and clearly Trump is all about getting right into a battle that he would not should struggle. He desires to make use of navy women and men as his little toy troopers. None of this retains People protected world wide. If something, it’s actually frightening the remainder of the world to attempt to have interaction in a struggle with america.
DETROW: I discussed earlier than one thing I believe lots of listeners know, that you just flew helicopters in fight. I used to be curious to get your response to a different massive part of the speech.
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PETE HEGSETH: At the moment, at my course, every service will be sure that each requirement for each fight MOS, for each designated fight arms place, returns to the best male customary solely.
DUCKWORTH: I imply, I believe it is ironic that the least-qualified particular person for his job is questioning the {qualifications} of ladies who even have met the requirements for his or her jobs. It is attention-grabbing that he neglected age. You understand, the male customary for an 18-year-old man is just not the identical as what the usual is for a 45-year-old. So it simply exhibits a lack of expertise on his half. He is making an attempt to erase the valor proven by ladies, individuals of colour and plenty of others who’ve served in uniform, and it makes a mockery of our veterans, you understand? He can do all of the PT on the planet, however he could not fly a helicopter.
DETROW: Are you able to say extra about what you are seeing that makes you say that you just assume that they are making an attempt to push individuals of colour out of fight roles?
DUCKWORTH: Properly, on the finish of his speech, he issued an entire bunch of memorandums to the navy going after range. Variety within the navy is nice for our navy’s readiness – the truth that now we have troops who can converse varied languages world wide. We now have troops who can mix in with the native inhabitants after they go locations. If something, what they’re making an attempt to do goes to make our navy much less in a position to struggle the wars.
DETROW: One different second that acquired lots of consideration was some new directives issued to higher-ranking officers. This is a second from that speech.
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HEGSETH: It is tiring to look out at fight formations or actually any formation and see fats troops. Likewise, it is fully unacceptable to see fats generals and admirals within the halls of the Pentagon and main instructions across the nation and the world. It is a unhealthy look.
DETROW: I assume, Senator, is that this a priority you share? What was your response to this message from the secretary?
DUCKWORTH: Pay attention, the navy already has weight requirements and bodily health requirements for all of our troops. And if Pete Hegseth is fearful in regards to the weight and health of our troops, possibly he also needs to apply them to the commander in chief.
DETROW: That’s Senator Tammy Duckworth, an Illinois Democrat and an Iraq struggle veteran. Thanks a lot for speaking to us.
DUCKWORTH: Thanks.
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