US EditionHegseth Speaks on Boat Strikes, Trump’s Military Focus in Reagan National Defense Forum Appearance
Hegseth defended Trump’s military-first policy and U.S. Navy strikes against narco-terrorists, stating over 80 killed in Caribbean operations are forcing smugglers to alter tactics.
- On Saturday, Dec. 6, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told the Reagan National Defense Forum in Simi Valley that President Donald Trump `can take military action as he sees fit` and that naval strikes in the Caribbean are forcing smugglers to change tactics.
- The secretary, who was narrowly confirmed after a tie-breaking vote by Vice President J.D. Vance, has faced scrutiny recently over a Navy strike off the coast of Venezuela and criticism for Signal app use, while the Pentagon inspector general found his actions risked the mission.
- Nearly two dozen watercraft strikes, Pete Hegseth, Defense Secretary, said, have followed clearance protocols with lawyers and intelligence analysts involved; he authorized the Sept. 2 operation and `stayed 5 minutes after` before it became tactical under Admiral Frank 'Mitch' Bradley.
- The strikes have resulted in more than 80 deaths and prompted renewed calls for investigation as Pete Hegseth dismissed criticism despite four suspected drug traffickers killed and Rep. Adam Smith demanding inquiry over survivors.
- Urging allies to `step up`, Pete Hegseth said burden-sharing is central as the U.S. rebuilds its military, touting President Donald Trump's eight major peace deals and Reagan's legacy.
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Pasadena Star News
Hegseth speaks on boat strikes, Trump’s military focus in Reagan National Defense Forum appearance
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told the hundreds gathered at the Reagan National Defense Forum in Simi Valley on Saturday, Dec. 6, that President Donald Trump has the power to take military action “as he sees fit” to keep the nation safe and said naval strikes on alleged drug cartel boats in the Caribbean are forcing smugglers to change how they operate. The comments were delivered in his keynote address, and a Q&A that followed, before hundreds…
Hegseth hails Trump as 'true and rightful heir' of Ronald Reagan
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth called President Donald Trump the “true and rightful heir” of Ronald Reagan at a defense forum named after the former president in Southern California on Saturday. Speaking at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Hegseth based the comparison on Trump and Reagan’s shared “peace through strength” foreign policy doctrine. “Like President Reagan, President Trump is dedicated to both sides of the peace through strengt…
Hegseth to highlight rebuilding the 'Arsenal of Freedom' in speech at Reagan National Defense Forum
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth wrote on X Saturday that, 'We are rebuilding the Arsenal of Freedom," ahead of a speech at the Reagan National Defense Forum in California.
LIVE NOW: 2025 Reagan National Defense Forum Features Defense Leaders, Keynote Speech by War Secretary Hegseth (Air Force One Pavilion)
U.S. government officials and defense leaders attend the 2025 Reagan National Defense Forum on Dec. 6 at two sites in the Reagan Center, California. (Video courtesy of Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute.) Schedule (Air Force One Pavilion): 7:45 a.m.–9:00 a.m. PST – Panel 1 & Breakfast Opening Plenary: The Nation’s Voices on National Defense: Shaping Public Perspectives Panelists: Mike Gallagher, Head of Defense at Palantir Techn…
At noon Eastern Time on December 6th, in Simi Valley, California, the 2025 Reagan National Defense Forum was held in two venues: Air Force One and the Presidential Learning Center. This is the Presidential Learning Center venue for the 2025 Reagan National Defense Forum. NTD and Epoch Times provided live online streaming.
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