Hegseth Tells West Point Graduates They May Face War Soon

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth delivered a commencement address Saturday at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, telling nearly 1,000 graduates they could be heading to war soon while sharply criticizing diversity initiatives and what he called the weakening of military standards under previous leadership.

“Now, today, we are going to send you. We’re sending you to lead, we’re sending you to forge warriors, and we’re sending you perhaps to war. And you are ready,” Hegseth told the cadets gathered in the rain. The remark came as President Donald Trump has been weighing renewed military action against Iran, according to multiple reports.

In his speech, Hegseth condemned diversity, equity and inclusion programs, calling the phrase “our diversity is our strength” the “single dumbest phrase in military history.” He said former leaders had “embraced the DEI craze” and tried to turn West Point into “woke Princeton,” his alma mater.

“The battlefield does not grade on a curve, and you can’t throw your pronouns at the enemy,” Hegseth said. “Combat is the ultimate test, and our best Americans must ace it.”

The defense secretary told cadets they were part of what he called the “snapback”...