BOTTOM LINE UP FRONT

Senator Jack Reed launched a full-blown attack on Secretary Pete Hegseth for deploying troops to stop the chaos in L.A. and securing our border. Hegseth didn’t backpedal, didn’t apologize—because the mission is clear: protect Americans, not politics.

COUNTERPOINT

According to Senator Reed:

• Deploying troops to Los Angeles was “dangerous.”
  
  
• Sending soldiers to the border “distracts from readiness.”
  
  
• Firing underperforming generals is “politicizing” the military. He paints a picture of collapse—because the Pentagon isn’t following the old D.C. playbook.
  

FACTS ONLY

Secretary Hegseth deployed 4,700 troops to Los Angeles after Democrat leaders failed to contain violence and restore order. He also backed 13,000 troops at the border and another 20,000 National Guard assisting ICE—because America comes first. Reed blasted Hegseth for “gutting” DOD offices and firing top brass. But those firings removed dead weight, restored discipline, and ended the revolving door of careerists. Reed even complained Hegseth hasn’t held a Pentagon press conference—because apparently stopping riots matters less than media optics. That’s not speculation. That’s straight from the hearing.

THE AMERICA FIRST VIEW

Let’s get this straight: Deploying troops to fight riots is bad? Securing the border is “wasteful”? Firing failed generals is “dangerous”? Only in D.C. does defending your country get framed as a scandal. Reed wants press conferences. Trump and Hegseth want peace on our streets and strength in our ranks. The American people don’t care about cocktail party grumbling. They want leadership—and they’ve got it.

WHAT’S NEXT

Hegseth won’t be stepping down—and Trump won’t be dialing back. Expect more troop support at the border, more accountability inside the Pentagon, and more fireworks from Senate hearings. And as 2026 midterms approach, the question will be clear: Do we want leaders who protect reporters’ access—or protect American families?