US defense secretary defends Trump’s military agenda, calls for $350B in additional Pentagon funding

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday reaffirmed his support for President Donald Trump’s military agenda, declaring that the Pentagon would not waver in pursuing its priorities while urging Congress to approve at least $350 billion in additional funding to bolster the nation’s military capabilities.

In a lengthy video message, Hegseth said the administration had transformed the Defense Department, which Trump has renamed the Department of War, by returning its focus to military readiness and combat capabilities.

"The next few months and years are critical for our department and our republic. This is about the president's America First agenda. This is about our department's peace through strength agenda," Hegseth said.

He credited Trump with restoring what he described as the department's core mission of warfighting, saying the administration had eliminated diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs, dismissed military leaders it considered unsuccessful, strengthened global deterrence and increased military recruitment.

Hegseth urged lawmakers to approve a reconciliation package providing at least $350 billion in additional military funding, describing it as a generational investment necessary to maintain America's military advantage.

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Source of information: Global News Agencies including REUTERS / TASS / AFP / ANADOLU / INT.RU / Al Jazeera / CNN