MaddowBlog-Why Pete Hegseth's pitch to generals and admirals was even worse than expected

[LetMyPeopleVote]

Did the secretary bring generals and admirals in from around the world so he could treat them like a CPAC audience? Actually, yes, he did.

Why Pete Hegseth’s pitch to generals and admirals was even worse than expected

flip.it/GIAS0g

— (@gypsydaveh.bsky.social) 2025-09-30T16:25:32.516Z

https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/pete-hegseth-speech-generals-admirals-rcna234674

But having heard the secretary’s remarks, he proved to be even worse than expected. Reuters reported:

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth slammed ‘fat generals’ and diversity initiatives that he said led to decades of decay in the military and told a rare gathering of commanders on Tuesday they should resign if they don’t support his agenda. ‘Foolish and reckless political leaders set the wrong compass heading and we lost our way. We became the “Woke Department,”’ Hegseth said as he kicked off the event in Quantico, Virginia. ‘But not anymore,’ he said.

Choosing the worst moment from Hegseth’s bizarre and unnecessary speech is admittedly challenging. Was it his boasts about firing qualified military leaders? Or maybe his condemnation of diversity initiatives and climate change as “s---” that the military will no longer care about?.....

Maybe the lowest of the low points was Hegseth’s comment that seemed to open the door to a new attitude toward war crimes. “We unleash overwhelming and punishing violence on the enemy. We also don’t fight with stupid rules of engagement. We untie the hands of our warfighters to intimidate, demoralize, hunt, and kill the enemies of our country,” he declared. “No more politically correct and overbearing rules of engagement.”

Hegseth: "We unleash overwhelming and punishing violence on the enemy. We also don't fight with stupid rules of engagement. We untie the hands of our warfighters to intimidate, demoralize, hunt, and kill the enemies of our country. No more politically correct and overbearing rules of engagement."

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) 2025-09-30T13:06:31.204Z

In other words, Hegseth spent millions of taxpayer dollars to bring generals and admirals in from around the world so that he could treat them like a CPAC audience.

As for those in attendance who might’ve been uncomfortable with the secretary’s absurdities, he extended some advice to them, too. “If the words I’m speaking today are making your heart sink, then you should do the honorable thing and resign,” Hegseth said.

[WiVoter]

1. What's With That Fake Patton Look?

[Ocelot II]

2. The real Patton wouldn't have pissed on him if he was on fire.

[Mme. Defarge]

3. Here on the Left Coast

and wondering if 11:00 A.M. is to early to start drinking?

[jls4561]

10. Not if you're Pete Hegseth.

[sinkingfeeling]

4. Well, sounds like we're full fascists now, ready to invade any country TSF selects.

[maxsolomon]

9. The country that's been selected is America.

Specifically, any place that didn't vote for Dotard McNarcissist.

[MineralMan]

5. To his audience, he is just a snot-nosed kid.

Seriously. A National Guard Major who is currently inactive. He's not a serious military person. Eyes were rolling.

[Disaffected]

6. Sounds like Pickled Pete is saying

war crimes are OK now.

[surfered]

7. Sounds like one of Putin's Commanders in Ukraine. He's not taking war crimes off the table.

[odins folly]

8. All I ever wanted as a platoon leader......

What a fucking disgrace. I’m the secretary of WAR!!!!! Forget those silly rules of armed engagement that kept American soldiers and sailors and airmen out of prison for not acting like fucking deranged raiders….

As a person proud of 20 year military career and 20 year USGov career, all I have to say is “fuck off you fucking fuck”!!!!!!!!

[moondust]

11. "overbearing rules of engagement"?

You mean like them old-fashioned, burdensome Geneva Conventions that just get in the way of rampant war crimes, Petey?

[lame54]

12. That's the problem...

It should have been exactly as expected

We're always misunderestimating him

[LetMyPeopleVote]

13. These officers are getting a special medal for yesterday

[dalton99a]

14. Hegseth practically ordered them to commit war crimes.

[wiggs]

15. The rest of the world must be observing with astonishment and concern. nt

[RedWhiteBlueIsRacist]

16. The Department of War Crimes being set into motion by a criminal President.

People in the military might want to think about the crimes they may be ordered to perform.

[leftstreet]

17. DURec