Trump national security adviser Mike Waltz reiterated the administration’s support for Secretary of Defense Pete Hegses on Sunday, saying that despite the famous controversy and wave of resignation that has involving the school in recent weeks, he has “could not be proud” in the early months of his role.
Speaking to Fox News host Maria Bartilomo on Sunday, Waltz was forced to see whether the Pentagon was equipped with the ability to achieve lofty foreign policy goals, including helping the current Pentagon mediate negotiated reconciliation in the Russian war in Ukraine.
“Can I do this with what appears to be a chaotic, weakened defense department?” Bartiromo asks Waltz about “Sunday Morning Futures,” citing reports of chaos and dysfunction, including the recent shooting of Hegseth’s top aide, reporting that he is threatening polygraph testing on some staff in the department.
“I’ll talk about the weakened pentagon,” Waltz countered. “It was the Secretary of Defense who disappeared for two weeks last year, and no one knew about it.”
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegses will be seen in Guantanamo Bay earlier this year. (US Army Photography Staff Sgt. ShatyraCox)
In contrast to his predecessor, Waltz said that Hegses was “front-and-coming” at the Department of Defense, and praised him for explaining him as Hegses’ early efforts to reform the Pentagon.
“He’s leading the charges and has no tolerance for leaks,” Waltz said.
The Waltz also dispelled questions last week about the departure of senior aides, including Hegses’s own Chief of Staff Joe Casper.
Allegations of high-ranking officials and other confusion from within the pentagon have prompted some Democrats to seek an investigation into his leadership.
However, Waltz also brushed off these dysfunctional features on Sunday. Asked by Baltiromo how he intended to replace the Pentagon officials he was fired, Waltz said, “Maria, there are 20,000 people in the Pentagon.”
“We have a record number of generals,” he said. “And the other works – accountability, we had some general managers who weren’t getting the job done.
Waltz said that it was in stark contrast to the long-standing culture at the Pentagon, where he said, “No one is fired, [and] There is never accountability. ”
“And now there is,” he told Baltiromo.
“Whether it’s leaking or not, or whether it’s done or failing in terms of procurement acquisition, now we have a leader in charge,” Waltz said. “And I couldn’t boast of Pete Hegses.”
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The choice of President Donald Trump as Secretary of Defense in the presidential election on the left will shake hands with Chairman R-Miss. After his Senate Armed Services Committee for his confirmation hearing. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Waltz’s remarks came as he discussed a planned military strike against Houthis as he joined at least one signal group chat in March as the role of Hegseth has been monitored in recent weeks, and discussed the firing of several senior staff earlier this month.
Hegseth fired three top aides earlier this month, including his aide Dan Caldwell, his deputy chief of staff Darin Selnick, and Deputy Secretary of Defense Colin Carroll.
These expulsions were described as “confusing” and wary by former Pentagon Communications official John Urito, who resigned earlier this year.
“Dysfunction is a major distraction for the president right now. He deserves better from a senior leader,” Uriot wrote in Politico’s manipulation.
However, the White House is trying to highlight recent support for Heggs, with both Vice President J.D. Vance and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt vehemently rejecting reports that the administration may be considering potential alternatives.
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“Again. The president has been strong in confronting the changes he is bringing to the Pentagon and how he has achieved so far, and told reporters at a briefing last week, describing the report as a “smear campaign.”
Breanne Deppisch is a national political reporter for Fox News Digital, covering the Trump administration, focusing on the Department of Justice, the FBI and other national news.
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