ABC Information has completely flipped their wig over what is often often called the “come to Pete” speech, delivered by the Secretary of Battle himself in entrance of the nation’s high army brass assembled at Marine Corps Base Quantico (VA). A lot in order that for a second, correspondent Martha Raddatz appeared to neglect Secretary Hegseth’s precise job.
Watch because the report opened with one other prolonged introduction by World Information Tonight anchor David Muir, earlier than sending off to Raddatz:
ABC WORLD NEWS TONIGHT
9/30/25
6:35 PM
DAVID MUIR: Tonight, the U.S. army’s high brass summoned to Quantico, Virginia. 800 high officers. Secretary Hegseth outlining his imaginative and prescient, what’s anticipated now of these army leaders and speaking concerning the highest male normal just for all of those that serve within the U.S. army. And President Trump on stage, the president saying he has instructed Secretary Hegseth we should always use some harmful cities as coaching grounds for our army. This is Martha Raddatz.
MARTHA RADDATZ: In an unprecedented assembly which the previous weekend Fox and Mates host broadcast stay, Secretary Pete Hegseth warning a whole bunch of combat-tested generals, admirals and senior officers flown in from all over the world that the army underneath his management will likely be dramatically modified.
PETE HEGSETH: No extra id months, DEI places of work, dudes in attire. No extra local weather change worship. No extra division, distraction, or gender delusions. No extra particles. We’re completed with that [ shit ].
The very first thing that instantly pops to thoughts is the hassle made at World Information Tonight to keep away from uttering the phrases “Secretary of Battle.” Thus, Pete Hegseth is known as “Secretary Hegseth” or “Hegseth.” Each of that are positive as soon as viewers are instructed what he’s the secretary of. However it seems that ABC would quite gag than say “Secretary of Battle.”
The following is Martha Raddatz derisively referring to Secretary Hegseth as “former weekend Fox and Mates” host”, as if Hegseth had delivered his speech from the curvy sofa. Now that he’s the Senate-confirmed Secretary, what goal is there to deemphasizing Hegseth on this means, besides petty protest?
The remainder of the story is mainly Raddatz emoting with each fundamental proposal laid out by Hegseth- whether or not on weight requirements or bodily coaching or the rest. How dare this Secretary of an indeterminate division set requirements for the individuals underneath his cost! Whether or not on weight, bodily health or the rest, Raddatz has some whiny little apart.
The course correction was lengthy overdue and the American individuals voted for it. You couldn’t inform that is the case from watching legacy media accounts.
Click on “broaden” to view the total transcript of the aforementioned report as aired on ABC World Information Tonight on Tuesday, September thirtieth, 2025:
DAVID MUIR: Tonight, the U.S. army’s high brass summoned to Quantico, Virginia. 800 high officers. Secretary Hegseth outlining his imaginative and prescient, what’s anticipated now of these army leaders and speaking concerning the highest male normal just for all of those that serve within the U.S. army. And President Trump on stage, the president saying he has instructed Secretary Hegseth we should always use some harmful cities as coaching grounds for our army. This is Martha Raddatz.
MARTHA RADDATZ: In an unprecedented assembly which the previous weekend Fox and Mates host broadcast stay, Secretary Pete Hegseth warning a whole bunch of combat-tested generals, admirals and senior officers flown in from all over the world that the army underneath his management will likely be dramatically modified.
PETE HEGSETH: No extra id months, DEI places of work, dudes in attire. No extra local weather change worship. No extra division, distraction, or gender delusions. No extra particles. We’re completed with that [ shit ].
RADDATZ: Whereas the generals and admirals sat largely silent by means of the speech, Hegseth stated army health and requirements will likely be enforced, no extra fats generals or admirals, he stated.
HEGSETH: I do not need my son serving alongside troops who’re off form, or in fight unit with females who cannot meet the identical fight arms bodily requirements as males.
RADDATZ: For these floor fight roles which girls have been performing for greater than a decade, the excessive male normal will now be the norm.
HEGSETH: If meaning no girls qualify for some fight jobs, so be it.
RADDATZ: And Hegseth defending the firing of greater than a dozen senior officers, together with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Employees, CQ Brown, and the top of the Navy, Lisa Franchetti.
HEGSETH: For too lengthy, we’ve promoted too many uniformed leaders for the fallacious causes. Based mostly on their race, based mostly on gender quotas. Based mostly on historic so-called firsts.
RADDATZ: However Hegseth was not simply speaking personnel however coverage, the foundations of engagement meant to guard civilians and noncombatants. These, he stated, have turn out to be too politically appropriate.
HEGSETH: We additionally do not struggle with silly guidelines of engagement. We untie the palms of our warfare fighters to intimidate, demoralize, hunt and kill the enemies of our nation.
RADDATZ: President Trump then took the stage to handle the officers.
DONALD TRUMP: In case you don’t love what I am saying you may depart the room. In fact, there goes your rank. There goes your future.
RADDATZ: Telling his viewers of among the most skilled warfare fighters in a era the army ought to follow on American cities.
TRUMP: I instructed Pete we should always use a few of these harmful cities as coaching grounds for our army.
RADDATZ: And David, I’m instructed that most of the officers within the viewers have been particularly jarred by these remarks about coaching in American cities. Others say they’re now eager about the place their pink traces are as a result of, David, Hegseth made clear that if they do not like what they’re listening to from him, they need to resign. David.
David: Martha Raddatz in Washington tonight. Martha, thanks.
