What You Didn't Hear At Pete's Confirmation Hearing | The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe

Had I known that Pete Hegseth would be nominated to be the next Secretary of Defense when I interviewed him last year, I might have taken a more pointed approach to our conversation. For instance, I might have pointed out that in 2023, the RAND Corporation issued a report on U.S. military “power and influence,” that opened like this: “The U.S. defense strategy and posture have become insolvent. The tasks that the nation expects its military forces and other elements of national power to do internationally exceed the means that are available to accomplish those tasks.”

Yikes.

After getting his thoughts on that, I might have quoted Mark Rutte, the secretary general of NATO, who said, “the West is not prepared for the challenges that will come over the next five years and that it’s time to “shift to a wartime mind-set.” And Kori Schake, who directs foreign and defense policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute. “While World War III has not begun, “a world war is approaching.”

Double yikes!

As I understand it, (and I’m not a journalist or an expert by any means,) our defense strategy has been based on the assumption that we will have to fight just one war at a time. But the ever-deepening relationships between China, Russia, Iran and North Korea make the possibility of a coordinated attack a lot more likely, which means Pete might be overseeing three or four regional wars simultaneously. I would love to hear how he would prepare for that scenario, along with his take on China’s shipbuilding industry, which now has 230 times more capacity than that of the United States.

Triple yikes!

I also have many questions about the enormous amphibious landing craft that was built to facilitate the invasion of Taiwan, and their latest microwave weapon that has the intensity of a nuclear explosion and the ability to destroy the electronic components of our critical weapons systems. According to H.R. McMaster, the former national security adviser, “I think China is laying the groundwork for a first-strike nuclear capability against the United States.”

Yikes, yikes, yikes, and yikes!!!

This will answer none of those questions, and I’m sorry about that. To be honest, I expected somebody in Congress to raise these issues during the confirmation hearing earlier this week, but no one did, on either side. Pity. The D’s and R’s were both focused on less pressing issues, and that’s…disappointing. All I can offer in the way of further insight into the man who will likely run our military, is the conversation we had back in July, shortly after his book was published. This clip convinced me that his love for this country is genuine. Is it enough to get us safely through a world that seems more dangerous than ever?

I guess we’ll find out...

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00:00 Pete’s naked patriotism
03:10 The danger in forgetting civic traditions
05:25 The disconnect with our military

[camillekyle]

Love you Pete our new secretary of Defense prayers to you and the family

[normajeanhedlund]

We need Pete and more honest people like Mike Rowe. ❤

[jillv]

Mike Rowe is a national treasure for giving people a real platform to express themselves!

[JetpackJesse-fn]

I enlisted in 1990. I served for 20 years in the Army. Now that I'm retired I'm a parade organizer. I take great pride in both. 😎👍🇺🇸

[davidamos]

As a Viet Nam vet, I am excited for the future !!!

[redrightandblue]

I went to High School with Pete, he's a genuine dude, we are so lucky to have him.

[ptownsend]

Proud to work in a “really good” school where we say the pledge every day and kids stand for it!

[johnperevuznik]

Exactly Pete... Traditions and Values! We need more of this my good Sir

[TheSHTFFarm]

I’m not that far from Wanamingo! So glad Pete is going to set shit straight. Finally, a real patriot that we have needed. Well overdue ✝️🇺🇸💪🏼

[barbarayorkwoodside]

Praying he gets confirmed! Thanks for sharing, Mike. I grew up putting my hand over my heart when I said the Pledge of Allegence. Still do it, to this day and always will. God Bless the USA.

[thomashauguel]

I served for 21 years. I could have served longer, but got out 15 years ago. Even back then, the military had changed for the worse. You got promoted and awarded not on merit, but on how you looked, how you thought and how you expressed DEI. Yes, that's right: It may not have been called that back then, but that's what infected the military even in the early to mid 2000's. Working hard, being a good leader, and volunteering for the tough assignments became less important than what gender you were (only male and female then), what color your skin was, or how much you could champion the cause of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity to the upper brass.

If it was already that bad then, I can only imagine how bad it must be now. I sincerely hope Pete gets in there and sets a better course for the military, one where readiness, skill, dedication to duty, and the ability to think outside the box are valued once again by EVERY branch.

[markbarboza]

Every parent should tell their kids about our history, and how many soldiers lost their lives defending freedom, it's so important. It NEEDS to be taught in school!!! Patriotism is important!

[Kathleen]

Can we turn the Entire month of July into Veterans Appreciation Month? They have earned this Honor 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[buckrodgers]

As a Vietnam Veteran I am so looking forward to you being our SecDef Pete! Mike thank you for standing with our military! I was born in 1950 and everything you both talked about hit home! We had Pledge of Allegiance everyday before classes! Memorial Day, 4th of July and Veterans Day were always big events and very patriotic! We said yes sir and yes ma’am! Opened doors for women! I tell you this country needs those things again! I love this country and don’t like what’s happening to her! We need our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ back as our guiding lights!

[phittie]

Patriotism is free - it doesn't cost us anything. No participation charges, no membership fees, nothing. You just have to stand up and be counted. So why is it so hard to find today? Thanks for another great interview Mike!

[sojourner]

Thank you Pete for your service. Thank you Mike for this interview. God bless both of you and your families.

[b-hnukesr]

I served to honor those served before me. I served to protect this nation. I served because I love this country. Pete will be an outstanding Secretary of Defense.

[drenk]

As a draftee of the Vietnam war I am proud of my service. An American Legion post officer. “ For God and Country.”

[mark.J]

His coin flag is awesome!! He's the guy we need, the leader at Defense that America needs!!!

[mimidoggettromberger]

Thank you, Mike Rowe❤ and Pete Hegseth❤🇺🇸