‘Fundamentally anti-American’: Hegseth attacks the media in fiery speech. He accused them of treason and endangering the lives of U.S. soldiers

Pete Hegseth used his second annual State of the Force address on Wednesday to accuse members of the U.S. media of harming American troops. The defense secretary spoke at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia and said some coverage put soldiers in danger.

According to Axios, he said a free press matters. He then described “partisan activism that intentionally smears the troops and the historic mission they are undertaking” as “fundamentally anti-American.” He continued, “It’s sick. It’s a national betrayal. It’s treason, actually.”

Hegseth told those listening that journalists expose “your movements and bases” to the enemy. He also said, “Ultimately, it’s your lives they put directly at risk when they lie about munition stockpiles.”

Remarks also covered Iran war reporting, Pentagon access, and planned command changes

According to Mediaite, he compared American news outlets to foreign state media, saying, “Our so-called press makes Iranian state media look reasonable.” He claimed the press is driven by “shameful lust for political retribution” that “blinds them to the consequences of reckless, so-called reporting.”

Hegseth also said, “So-called journalists, juiced up on Trump Derangement Syndrome, think fighting against our president, but they’re really undermining you.” He suggested some reporters function as a political arm of the Democratic Party.

Mediaite said he looked toward journalists in the room and wagged his left hand while making those comments. Axios said reports about shrinking stocks of key munitions in the war with Iran have angered President Donald Trump and his team.

Axios said Hegseth has also limited reporters’ access at the Pentagon. Mediaite said he recently called a Washington Post story that more Americans had died in Iran than officials had disclosed “a complete LIE.” He has also clashed with the press over coverage of the Iran war, such as when military leaders reportedly warned him against extending operations, and the Pentagon lashed out at the report.

The speech comes after Trump barred MS NOW, CNN, and Politico from the White House. Those outlets sued and received a temporary restraining order last week, Mediaite said, though the White House still kept them out afterward. The administration’s disputes with the press have spilled beyond the briefing room, as a report said Trump confronted Hegseth over depleted missile stockpiles at Camp David.

Hegseth also discussed internal military policy. He said he has moved to roll back DEI and gender equity programs in favor of “meritocracy.” He said, “We are no longer the woke department or the weak department. Simple translation of that – no fatties, no t——s, no beardos, no weirdos, no wimps, no radicals. Just warriors.”

He confirmed a plan to cut 20% of generals and admirals and rejected claims that the move is a purge. “As usual, what the media levels as an accusation, I wear as an accomplishment,” he said.

He also announced an Autonomous Warfare Command to study the future of war and said Elon Musk would take part. He further announced a nationwide contest to host the next U.S. military base.