Charting an America First Defense Policy

The United States is “once again putting American interests first,” declared Secretary of War Pete Hegseth in a speech at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley, California.

“We will define our vital interests in ways that are reasonable and make sense to ordinary Americans. . . .As a result the War Department will not be distracted by democracy building, interventionism, undefined wars, regime change, climate change, woke moralizing, and feckless nation building. We will instead put our nation’s practical, concrete interests first.”

A primary focus of the War Department is defending the homeland, said Secretary Hegseth.

“Border security is national security and we are prioritizing it accordingly. Since January 20, at the direction of President Trump, the Department of War has made it a top priority to defend our nation’s borders, to get 100 percent operational control of that border. We did so by surging forces where our troops partner with [Department of Homeland Security and Customs and Border Patrol] to seal the border. . . .Today the number of illegals crossing into our country is zero.”

But America’s borders should not the first line of defense, stated Secretary Hegseth. “They should be the last line of defense.” That is why the U.S. is prioritizing its fight against the drug cartels.

“The days in which these narco terrorists, designated terror organizations, operate freely in our hemisphere are over. These narco terrorists are the al-Qaida of our hemisphere, and we are hunting them with the same sophistication and precision that we hunted al-Qaida. We are tracking them. We are killing them. We will keep killing them so long as they are poisoning our people with narcotics so lethal that they are tantamount to chemical weapons.”

After years of neglect, the U.S. will restore its military dominance in the Western Hemisphere. “We will use it to protect our homeland and access to key terrain throughout the region,” said Secretary Hegseth. “We will also deny adversaries’ ability to position forces or other threatening capabilities in our hemisphere.” The Monroe Doctrine remains in effect and stronger than ever under President Donald Trump, explained Secretary Hegseth.

In Asia, the United States will pursue deterrence against China through strength, not confrontation, stressed Secretary Hegseth. This line of effort is based on realism and a balance of power, which will enable all countries to enjoy peace.

“We will speak softly and carry a big stick. . . .We are not trying to strangle China’s growth. We are not trying to dominate them or humiliate them. Nor are we trying to change the status quo over Taiwan. Our interests in the Indo-Pacific are significant but also scoped and reasonable. This includes the ability for us along with allies to be postured strongly enough in the Indo-Pacific to balance China’s growing power.”

The Department of War is laser focused on advancing America first, peace through strength, and common-sense efforts, declared Secretary Hegseth. “We owe safety, freedom, and prosperity to the American people, and we will deliver.”