Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth spent his initial day in command at the Pentagon while delivering his pledge to help realize President Donald Trump's administration goals. He stressed the States would boost border security through military deployments and aircraft usage for deportations in addition to strengthening military preparedness.
Hegseth arrived at the Pentagon’s River Entrance at 9 a.m., where he was welcomed by General C.Q. Brown Jr., the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Despite having previously suggested that General Brown should be removed from his position, Hegseth patted the four-star general on the shoulder and remarked, “We’re in capable hands.”
“Our job is lethality and readiness and for fighting,” the defence secretary reiterated while vowing to bring a “warrior ethos” to the armed forces. “We’re going to hold people accountable,” he added.
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Pentagon’s troop surge at Southern border
The Pentagon sent 1,500 active-duty Army soldiers and Marines to the US-Mexico border where they joined approximately 2,500 troops who were already deployed there. “Whatever is needed at the border will be provided,” Hegseth indicated that this number could rise while addressing reporters at the Pentagon. “This is a shift. It’s not the way business has been done in the past.”
{{/usCountry}}The Pentagon sent 1,500 active-duty Army soldiers and Marines to the US-Mexico border where they joined approximately 2,500 troops who were already deployed there. “Whatever is needed at the border will be provided,” Hegseth indicated that this number could rise while addressing reporters at the Pentagon. “This is a shift. It’s not the way business has been done in the past.”
{{/usCountry}}“The defence of the territorial integrity of the United States of America at the southern border, to include reservist National Guard and active duty, in compliance with the Constitution, the laws of our land and the directives of the commander.”
“We’ll absolutely continue to use military aircraft to deport undocumented migrants from the United States,” Hegseth confirmed.
The military began participating in these deportation flights last week, which were previously conducted by commercial and chartered planes.
Notably, on Sunday, after facing threats of steep tariffs from Trump, Colombian President Gustavo Petro agreed to allow US military aircraft to transport deportees to Colombia.