Hegseth Confirms Trump Rumors
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed on Friday that President Trump had authorized the repeal of previous restrictions on military raids and airstrikes, marking a significant shift from the policies of the prior administration.
Hegseth acknowledged that CBS News accurately reported the new directive signed earlier this month in Germany, which reduces limitations and oversight on foreign airstrikes carried out by American forces. The directive expands the targets of U.S. military action, allowing airstrikes to go beyond just top leaders of terrorist organizations, which had been the focus under the Obama and Biden administrations.
This change represents a firm move toward empowering military leaders to make quicker and more decisive actions in the fight against terrorism. The directive was formally approved during a meeting with senior leaders from the U.S. Africa Command. Hegseth emphasized that the revised policy is designed to strengthen the military’s effectiveness, making it more agile and responsive to threats without being bogged down by excessive bureaucratic hurdles.
In line with the changes, the U.S. Africa Command has outlined a distinction between “deliberate” and “defensive” airstrikes. Defensive strikes are authorized when U.S. or allied forces face imminent danger, while deliberate strikes, which target specific enemies, require a thorough review to ensure compliance with the law of armed conflict.
Additionally, Hegseth’s actions included firing three military lawyers who were perceived as obstacles to the effective execution of the President’s orders. This move came on the heels of other significant leadership changes within the Pentagon, including the dismissal of the Joint Chiefs of Staff chair and other senior leaders.
Hegseth has made it clear that his primary objective is to ensure the U.S. military is ready to deter adversaries and, if necessary, defeat them decisively. His focus is on ensuring the military remains the most lethal and capable force in the world, prepared to protect American interests both at home and abroad.
