Hegseth Announces New Task Force

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a major new effort Tuesday to restore dignity and discipline inside America’s military housing. Speaking to new recruits at Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia, Hegseth revealed the creation of a “Barracks Task Force” — a Pentagon-wide mission to rebuild and modernize U.S. barracks under the direction of President Donald J. Trump.

“Every warrior deserves clean, safe, and honorable housing,” Hegseth declared. “We’re going to fix this problem across every branch — once and for all.”

Trump’s Leadership: Rebuilding the Military from the Ground Up

Hegseth said the task force will deliver a comprehensive barracks investment plan within 30 days, backed by more than $1 billion in funding from President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed earlier this summer.

He praised the President’s leadership, saying, “Our Commander-in-Chief is a builder. He knows how to build quickly, efficiently, and with pride. That’s exactly what we’re doing — rebuilding the American military from the ground up.”

Fixing the Neglect Left Behind by the Biden Years

The Defense Secretary didn’t hold back when addressing years of government mismanagement. He cited a 2023 Government Accountability Office report that revealed shocking conditions inside U.S. barracks — including sewage leaks, mold, and broken fire systems.

“Despite that report, the Biden administration did absolutely nothing,” Hegseth said. “It’s unacceptable that our troops — the same men and women who protect our freedoms — were forced to live in squalor while Washington bureaucrats looked the other way.”

The new Trump-backed task force will ensure those conditions are never allowed again.

Prioritizing Troops — and Protecting America’s Borders

Earlier this year, the Pentagon reallocated $1 billion in Army housing funds to reinforce troop deployments at the southern border — part of President Trump’s renewed push to stop illegal immigration and secure America’s sovereignty.

While Democrats in Congress criticized the move, Hegseth defended it as a patriotic decision: “President Trump puts Americans first — on the border, in the barracks, and on the battlefield.”

Reviving the Warrior Ethos

Hegseth emphasized that fixing the barracks is about more than bricks and mortar — it’s about restoring pride, morale, and readiness throughout the armed forces.

“Barracks are where warriors rest, recover, and prepare for the next fight,” Hegseth said. “This is about rebuilding a warrior culture — the kind of culture that wins wars and keeps America safe.”

He promised that his office would personally review and approve every new construction plan to ensure accountability and results — not bureaucracy.

“In big ways and small, the Department of War will have your back like never before — not just in the fight, but in your homes and with your families,” Hegseth told the recruits.

Trump’s America: Strength, Accountability, and Respect for the Uniform

The new Barracks Task Force marks the beginning of a new era of accountability inside the Pentagon. Under President Trump’s leadership, the Defense Department is refocused on what truly matters — the men and women who wear the uniform.

As Hegseth concluded, “Our Commander-in-Chief builds things — and now we’re rebuilding America’s military the right way: strong, efficient, and proud.”