Embattled Hegseth gets public show of support from Trump during his 100-days trip
Speaking at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Trump introduced his secretary of defense to the Guard members, telling them Hegseth was doing "a really great job."
In brief remarks following Trump, Hegseth praised the president.
MORE: Hegseth shouted threat to 'polygraph' top military officials: Sources
'Only because the commander in chief invited me,' Hegseth said, gesturing to Trump. 'Mr. President, thank you for restoring the warrior ethos inside our formations, for rebuilding our military, reestablishing deterrence around the world and making Americans proud to wear the uniform.'
Hegseth later added: 'All I ever wanted when I was in combat was to know that my commander had my back no matter what, and with Donald J Trump, that commander has your back.'
Hegseth's office declined to answer questions about why he was added to Trump's entourage as part of the president's trip to celebrate his 100 days in office. Hegseth's involvement was not previously announced.
Trump was to speak later to a rally crowd in Warren, Michigan, to tout his achievements during his first 100 days. He was joined at the base by Michigan Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer as he announced that Selfridge would receive 21 F-15 fighters which will bolster its future.
An infantry officer in the U.S. Army National Guard, Hegseth deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Iraq and Afghanistan before leaving the service with the rank of major, according to military records.
'From Day One, our overriding objectives have been clear: restoring the warrior ethos, rebuilding our military, and reestablishing deterrence,' said Sean Parnell, a senior adviser to Hegseth. 'In 100 days, the Department of Defense and our warfighters have delivered historic victories for the American people.'
Hegseth, a former Fox News anchor, was narrowly confirmed by the Senate earlier this year following allegations of financial mismanagement at a veterans nonprofit, sexual assault and heavy drinking -- all allegations he denies and says were aimed at smearing his reputation.
MORE: Hegseth blames 'anonymous smears,' Trump defends him after 2nd Signal chat revealed
Two months after Hegseth took the helm at the Pentagon, The Atlantic reported he was using the commercial messaging app Signal to update other national security officials, including Vice President JD Vance, with detailed plans for a military attack on the Houthi rebels in Yemen. Hegseth then used a second Signal chat to provide sensitive details to his wife, brother and personal lawyer, ABC News confirmed.
MORE: 2nd Signal chat reveals Hegseth messaging about Yemen strikes with family members: Sources
The Pentagon's independent watchdog, DOD acting Inspector General Steven Stebbins, said he would investigate the use of Signal by Hegseth and others.
MORE: Pentagon watchdog launches probe into Hegseth use of Signal chat ahead of Houthi airstrike
Trump later told The Atlantic that he spoke with Hegseth following the reports.
"I think he's gonna get it together," Trump said of Hegseth. "I had a talk with him, a positive talk, but I had a talk with him."
Adding to the tumult is the departure of several top aides to the secretary. Hegseth's chief of staff, Joe Kasper, recently stepped down, moving into a part-time advisory role. Hegseth fired three other close aides for what he said was leaking, although the aides say they have not been approached by investigators and remain unclear what the allegations are. And a fifth adviser resigned, writing a scathing opinion article calling Hegseth's handling of the Pentagon "total chaos."
MORE: Hegseth lashes out at alleged Pentagon leakers he claims want to 'sabotage' Trump's agenda
For his part, Hegseth said he's fighting to enact the president's agenda. On Tuesday, shortly before leaving on his trip with the president, Hegseth said he 'proudly" ended a small Defense Department program aimed at bolstering the participation of women in helping to resolve overseas conflicts, calling the effort a 'woke divisive/social justice/Biden initiative.'
The program -- called 'Women, Peace and Security' -- was signed into law by Trump during his first term in 2017 after several Republicans, including current Trump Cabinet members Kristi Noem and Marco Rubio, who were lawmakers at the time, sponsored the bill.
In 2019, the Trump administration outlined a strategy for implementing the program, including insisting upon female representation by other countries during peace talks. Trump's daughter, Ivanka Trump, was among its supporters.
'Peace processes and peacebuilding efforts are more successful when women have influential roles,' the Trump administration wrote at the time.
But according to Hegseth, the program never worked.
'Politicians fawn over it; troops HATE it,' Hegseth insisted.
Hegseth acknowledged in a subsequent post that the effort was indeed a Trump initiative with Republican support. He then accused the Biden administration of ruining it.
In 2021, President Joe Biden and Congress put $5.5 million in DOD spending toward implementing the law, including hiring and training personnel.
Embattled Hegseth gets public show of support from Trump during his 100-days trip originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
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