Fox News anchor Maria Bartiromo reportedly recently challenged National Security Advisor Mike Waltz regarding the turmoil at the Pentagon under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
During an interview on Sunday Morning Futures, Bartiromo questioned how the Defense Department could effectively broker a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine amid ongoing scandals and the departure of five key officials.
“Can you do this in what appears to be a chaotic, weakened Defense Department?” she asked, referencing Hegseth’s controversial actions, including threatening polygraph tests and firing associates.
Waltz defended the current situation, claiming that just 100 days prior, the focus was on diversity and climate issues rather than military effectiveness.
He asserted that there has been a significant shift towards prioritizing military readiness.
Despite Waltz’s attempts to downplay the chaos, Bartiromo pressed further, asking how Hegseth could swiftly replace so many officials.
Waltz responded that the Pentagon employs around 20,000 personnel and that accountability is now being enforced.
He emphasized that several generals and admirals who were not performing adequately have been dismissed, signaling a new era of accountability in military leadership.
Waltz expressed strong support for Hegseth, stating that the Defense Department needs decisive leadership to address issues like leaks and procurement failures.
He suggested that the media’s portrayal of chaos is misleading and that the Pentagon is capable of moving forward effectively.
The exchange highlighted the tension surrounding military leadership and the challenges facing the Pentagon as it navigates complex geopolitical issues while undergoing significant internal changes.
Bartiromo’s inquiries pointed to broader concerns about the military’s direction under continued scrutiny.
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