# Hegseth's culture war blinds Pentagon to real threats > The Defense Secretary declares victory over 'woke' enemies while ignoring Middle East conflict, Iran's advances, and bipartisan calls for his removal. - Title: Hegseth's culture war blinds Pentagon to real threats - Summary: The Defense Secretary declares victory over 'woke' enemies while ignoring Middle East conflict, Iran's advances, and bipartisan calls for his removal. Pete… - Keywords: pete hegseth, defense department, iran conflict, culture war, military leadership, trump administration, congress, impeachment, middle east, defense budget, politics, news - Source: The New Yorker — https://newyorker.com/news/letter-from-trumps-washington/pete-hegseth-just-declared-victory-in-the-wrong-war - Author: Susan B. Glasser - Published: 2026-10-01T22:36:56.341+00:00 - Read time: 3 min - Topics: pete hegseth, defense department, iran conflict, culture war, military leadership, trump administration, congress, impeachment, middle east, defense budget, politics, news ## Hegseth declares war on 'woke' Pete Hegseth, the Defense Secretary, told hundreds of military officers and enlisted service members at a Virginia base that the Pentagon is no longer woke or weak. > No fatties, no trannies, no beardos, no weirdos. No wimps, no radicals. Just warriors. ## His real enemy is at home Hegseth's focus is on defeating political correctness and his own generals, not actual military threats. He has already fired ten percent of generals and plans to dismiss ten percent more. ## The Middle East war goes unmentioned In his nearly hourlong speech, Hegseth barely acknowledged the ongoing conflict with Iran, which the Trump Administration is asking Congress to fund with tens of billions in emergency money. ## He claims victory in a war he ignores Hegseth asserted the war with Iran was both over and a roaring success that every red-blooded American is proud of, despite ongoing military operations and costs. ## Iraq base closure goes unmentioned On the day of Hegseth's speech, the Pentagon announced it had closed the last major U.S. military base in Iraq, ending a twenty-three-year, one point seven trillion dollar American presence that began with George W. Bush's invasion in two thousand three. ## The world beyond America is absent Hegseth's speech omitted China, Russia, Europe, Africa, and all geopolitics. In Trump's Pentagon, there is only divisive domestic politics of us versus them. ## Iran has humiliated the U.S. Since the conflict began in February, Iran has asserted control over the Strait of Hormuz, the global economy has been thrown into turmoil, and billions of dollars in damage has been caused to U.S. military bases across the Middle East. ## Diesel prices hit record high The price of diesel fuel to drive trucks just hit the highest level ever recorded at six dollars and fifty-three cents per gallon on September twenty-first, as a result of the war with Iran. ## A Republican senator calls for his firing Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina, who voted for Hegseth's confirmation, urged Trump to fire him, saying he has never witnessed more inept management of the military. > I have never witnessed more inept management of the brave men and women who serve our country. ## Congressman files impeachment articles Kentucky congressman Thomas Massie filed formal articles of impeachment against Hegseth in the House of Representatives, but Speaker Mike Johnson cancelled remaining House business and sent members into recess early instead. ## Congress blocks war funding and budget The Republican-controlled Congress has refused to approve the sixty-seven billion dollar emergency spending request for the Iran war and stalled Trump's record one point five trillion dollar defense budget request. ## Other misconduct faces scrutiny Beyond the Iran war, Hegseth faces questions over arbitrary firings of general officers, blocking promotions that disproportionately targeted women and people of color, and a campaign of deadly strikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean. ## Democrats plan aggressive accountability After the midterm elections, Democrats are expected to target Hegseth with either impeachment or aggressive accountability through investigations, subpoenas, and embarrassing public hearings. ## Hegseth's weakness is now visible Major newspapers reported Hegseth has never been weaker, and a retired Navy officer called him the prime candidate for a pink slip after the election, signaling a Washington feeding frenzy to come. ## Trump may keep his Pentagon ally Despite Hegseth's troubles, Trump may retain him because Hegseth embodies Trump's vanity, indifference to facts, preference for lethality over strategy, and commitment to tearing down institutions. ## Key takeaway Pete Hegseth's focus on domestic culture wars over actual military threats has triggered rare bipartisan backlash and calls for his removal before midterm elections.