Staff Reports
Rachel Campos-Duffy’s exclusive interview with newly appointed Secretary of War Pete Hegseth aboard the USS Iwo Jima signals a clear turning point in America’s approach to national security. Sitting atop one of the Navy’s most formidable amphibious assault vessels, Hegseth projected American strength against the backdrop of a region plagued by narco-terrorism and the destabilizing leadership of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela. The message was unmistakable: the era of complacency at the border and soft-pedaled policies toward drug cartels is over.
Hegseth did not shy away from criticizing past administrations, attributing surges in cartel violence and drug infiltration to years of lax border enforcement. With President Trump’s renewed commitment to protecting the homeland, the administration is actively disrupting the networks profiting off American misery. This isn’t the tired narrative of endless overseas entanglements. Instead, Hegseth emphasized a strategy of targeted, decisive action—using American might not as a blunt instrument, but as a scalpel against traffickers who threaten the very fabric of society.
A keystone of Hegseth’s strategy is the revitalization of the Monroe Doctrine, placing the defense of the Western Hemisphere front and center in foreign policy discussions. He highlighted the necessity of regional solidarity, pointing to a coalition ready to fight back against the cartels. This isn’t a new precedent—it’s a restoration of American priorities, recognizing that security begins at home and among bordering allies. Unlike the failed open-borders approach, the current direction holds Washington, Havana, Caracas, and other capitals to account for their complacency or complicity.
Throughout the interview, the stark contrast between American preparedness and Venezuela’s crumbling militias was a recurring theme. Hegseth’s remarks drew attention to the moral and practical bankruptcy of rogue regimes that threaten the stability of the hemisphere. The image of well-trained, well-supported U.S. personnel aboard a modern naval fortress was not simply symbolism—it was a show of resolve and a warning to adversaries unwilling to respect American power or the rights of its people.
As Hegseth sets out to implement this bold vision, Americans should recognize the choice before them: continue the failed policies of the past, or embrace a new era of peace through strength. The administration’s willingness to fight narco-terrorism head-on shows that security and sovereignty are once again top priorities. It is a declaration that the United States will not shy away from its responsibilities—or its capacity—to ensure justice and order for its own citizens and the broader region. The world is watching, and under Hegseth’s leadership, America is, once again, leading.
