Pete Hegseth’s latest address is likely to draw fierce criticism from progressives, LGBTQ advocates and much of the mainstream media.
Speaking Wednesday to service members, senior military leaders and a national television audience at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia, the secretary used language that critics have long regarded as off-limits in official government settings.
Hegseth’s central message was that the U.S. military should return its attention to combat readiness and lethality rather than issues involving gender, race and progressive ideology. The speech came one year after his previous State of the Force address, when he sharply criticized what he described as “woke” policies adopted by military leaders and argued that they had weakened the institution.
His remarks were also a direct repudiation of the approach associated with former President Barack Obama, former Joint Chiefs Chairman Mark Milley and former Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin.
“We are no longer the woke department or the weak department,” Hegseth declared.
He followed with a list of deliberately provocative labels—including an anti-transgender slur and insults aimed at overweight people, men with beards, perceived outsiders and political radicals—to emphasize his demand for a tougher, more uniform military culture.
His preferred description was simple: warriors.
The remarks quickly spread across social media.
🔥 Secretary Hegseth declares “NO MORE FATTIES OR TRANNlES” in the military
“We are NO LONGER the woke department or the weak department.”
“NO FATTIES. NO TRANNlES, no beardos, no weirdos, no wimps, no radicals. Just WARRIORS.”
“No more silly PowerPoint trainings or drag queen… pic.twitter.com/sRov6vndKv
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) September 30, 2026
🔥 Secretary Hegseth declares “NO MORE FATTIES OR TRANNlES” in the military
“We are NO LONGER the woke department or the weak department.”
“NO FATTIES. NO TRANNlES, no beardos, no weirdos, no wimps, no radicals. Just WARRIORS.”
“No more silly PowerPoint trainings or drag queen shows. No more diversity quotas,” Hegseth said.
He also rejected the use of gender pronouns and identity-focused observances, saying the military should embrace “only the warrior ethos.” 🇺🇸
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Hegseth also announced a major restructuring of the officer corps, saying the number of generals and admirals would be reduced by 20 percent.
Despite sustained criticism from the left over his overhaul of the armed forces and campaign against progressive programs, Hegseth made clear that he intends to continue on the same course.
During the address, he defended his policies by saying recruitment and retention had improved, including among women and minority service members. He characterized the reshaped force as color-blind and merit-based. Hegseth also devoted significant attention to attacking media coverage of troop morale and depleted munitions stocks during the war with Iran.
“A free press is, of course, important, but partisan activism that intentionally smears the troops and the historic mission that they’re undertaking is fundamentally anti-American. It’s sick. It’s a national betrayal. It’s treason, actually,” he said.
As you’d expect, reaction to Hegseth’s remarks fell along partisan lines, with those on the Left trashing the secretary while those on the Right cheered him on. It was an “unhinged rant,” moaned the Daily Beast. This post, meanwhile, racked up hundreds of thousands of views:
🚨WTF: Hegseth: “We are no longer the woke department… no fatties no trannies no beardos no weirdos no wimps no radicals. Just warriors.”
What a disgusting human being. pic.twitter.com/4l7yyh7bUc
— CALL TO ACTIVISM (@CalltoActivism) September 30, 2026
Not everyone was outraged, though. Here’s Bo Loudon, the conservative Gen Z influencer and friend of the president’s son Barron Trump:
🚨Sec. Hegseth just MADE AMERICA PROUD by declaring “fatties and trannies” are BANNED from being in the military.
“We are no longer the woke department or the weak department.”
This is 100% what I voted for. pic.twitter.com/wpPwwtji61
— Bo Loudon (@BoLoudon) September 30, 2026
Some may take issue with his wording, but the secretary is right on the core issue: woke has no place in the military. The War Department has a job to do: defend the United States and neutralize our enemies. Experimenting with social justice policies, DEI, and focusing on radical gender ideas does not help our soldiers fight more effectively in Iran — or anyplace else.
Editor’s Note: Thanks to President Trump and War Secretary Pete Hegseth’s leadership, the warrior ethos is coming back to America’s military.
Help us continue to report on Trump and Hegseth’s successes as they make our military great again. Join RedState VIP and use promo code FIGHT to receive 60% off your membership.
