Former President Donald Trump argues that the U.S. military must focus on winning wars and not be distracted by "woke" policies.
Former President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning that the United States "can't have a woke military." In an exclusive interview with "Fox & Friends Weekend" co-host Pete Hegseth, Trump argued that the military's primary purpose is to win wars, not to adhere to liberal social agendas.
"You need people that want to win," Trump told Hegseth. "They want to win wars. That's what their purpose is. To win wars, not to be woke."
Trump's comments come amid a growing debate over the role of "wokeness" in the U.S. military. Critics argue that a shift towards leftist ideology and politically slanted teachings is to blame for the ongoing recruiting crisis.
In his new book, "The War on Warriors," Hegseth delves into the military's embrace of "woke" policies and its impact on readiness and morale. He alleges that the Pentagon has focused too much on promoting diversity and inclusion, neglecting the military's core mission of protecting the nation.
"The Pentagon likes to say ‘our diversity is our strength.’ What a bunch of garbage," Hegseth said. "In the military, our diversity is not our strength. Our unity is our strength, and we need a commander-in-chief that understands that. Donald Trump certainly does."
Hegseth, a former Army officer who joined the military to fight extremists, claims that he was labeled an extremist himself by members of his own unit due to a religious tattoo. He argues that the military's embrace of political correctness has created a climate of fear and intimidation, where soldiers are afraid to express conservative or patriotic views.
"Do I want my kids to serve?" Hegseth asked. "This is a family business in many ways, and we need patriots serving if we're going to preserve our military."
Hegseth believes that the solution to the military's current dysfunction lies in restoring a focus on unity, discipline, and mission accomplishment. He urges the military to reject "woke" ideologies and embrace the values that have made the U.S. military the strongest in the world.
The debate over "wokeness" in the military is likely to continue in the coming months. With the midterm elections approaching, Republicans are expected to make it a major campaign issue. Trump's comments are a sign that he will continue to be a vocal critic of the military's leftward shift.
In a related development, Fox Nation has released a special titled "The War on Warriors." Hosted by Hegseth, the special features interviews with military veterans and experts who provide an in-depth look at the challenges facing the U.S. military today. Subscribers can stream the special to learn more about the impact of "woke" policies and the key to saving the nation's warriors and ensuring future victories.
