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Pete Hegseth’s Dangerous Obsession With the Southern Border
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth spoke with reporters during a visit to U.S. Africa Command in Stuttgart, Germany
On a trip to Stuggart, Germany, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth visited U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) and spoke with reporters. During the roughly 15-minute press scrum, Hegseth was asked about the Department of Defense (DOD) force posturing in Africa. His response was concerning but one aspect stood out: He suggested that the Defense Secretary and four-star generals be able to make military decisions normally reserved for the president.
When asked if the U.S.’s strategic aims in Africa were changing, Hegseth briefly mentioned China’s influence calling the PRC’s [People’s Republic of China] intentions “pernicious” and tried making the case for why the president should cede the power to him to deem people ‘terrorists’ and kill them. Seconds later, he quickly shifted to the U.S.-Mexcio border.
“America’s posture there, along with allies and partners, is going to matter in contesting that space,” said Hegseth. “It certainly remains a priority. You saw the strike in Somalia on February 1st. As we talked to the command, that’s a reflection of pushing decision authority down. Untying the hands of war-fighters…
