Hegseth is absolutely, no question, THE worst SECDEF in the history of these United States. The least qualified, the least intelligent, the most morally compromised and corrupt. There aren’t enough negative words in the dictionary to describe the depths of incompetence that man embodies. Heaven help us if we enter a real war, or are forced into one, with this pathetic excuse for a human being in charge of our military. I fear that we are going to find out how truly awful that time will be sooner rather than later. May God have mercy on our souls.
Well, here we go, Admiral Alvin Holsey is retiring 2 years early, per Reuters:
“ The admiral who leads U.S. military forces in Latin America will step down at the end of this year, two years ahead of schedule, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on Thursday, in a surprise move amid escalating tensions with Venezuela.
A source familiar with the matter told Reuters that there had been tension between Admiral Alvin Holsey and Hegseth over operations in the Caribbean and questions about whether he would be fired in the days leading up to the announcement….
…. Holsey's departure comes against the backdrop of a military buildup in the Caribbean that includes U.S.-guided missile destroyers, F-35 fighter jets, a nuclear submarine and around 6,500 troops as President Donald Trump escalates a standoff with the Venezuelan government.
U.S. military strikes against suspected drug boats off Venezuela have killed at least 27 people, raising alarms among some legal experts and mostly Democratic lawmakers, who question whether they adhere to the laws of war. The Trump administration argues it is in a war with narcoterrorist groups from Venezuela, making the strikes legitimate.
On Wednesday, Trump disclosed that he had authorized the Central Intelligence Agency to conduct covert operations inside Venezuela, adding to speculation in Caracas that the United States is attempting to topple President Nicolas Maduro. …..
…. Less than a week ago, the Pentagon announced its counter-narcotics operations in the region would not be led by the Miami-based Southern Command, but by II Marine Expeditionary Force, a unit capable of rapid overseas operations that is based at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.
That decision came as a surprise to U.S. military-watchers, since a combatant command like Southern Command would normally lead any high-profile operations.”
Note that the article says that military lawyers themselves are questioning the legality of these actions in the Caribbean near the coast of Venezuela. No doubt Hegseth doesn’t want reporters knowing that…and all the other stuff.
“… Inside the Pentagon, military lawyers and other officials have raised concerns centering on the basis for the strikes themselves as well as the legal implications for U.S. military personnel involved in the operations. Some defense officials have provided written and verbal legal opinions to decision makers at the Pentagon, but think they are being deliberately sidelined, The Wall Street Journal has reported.
The U.S. has recently moved heavy weaponry into the Caribbean region, including eight Navy warships, an attack submarine, F-35B jet fighters that are now based in Puerto Rico, P-8 Poseidon spy planes and MQ-9 Reaper drones.
The Pentagon in recent weeks has deployed elite special-operations forces to the region, including the Army’s 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment—known as the “Night Stalkers”—which has been conducting training flights fewer than 90 miles from Venezuela, according to* a* U.S. official. The unit flies missions for commandos such as Green Berets, The Navy SEALs and Delta Force and is noted for its role in the raid that killed Osama bin Laden…”
With only one entity willing to sign his loyalty pledge, he's a bit thin on followers. Some won't sign and will use leaks and retired military sources and feel freer to report what they find. What little hesitation they felt around reporting on their "hosts" will have evaporated. Some won't sign because the agreement it contained saying that reporting anything not pre-approved can be deemed treasonous sounded alarm bells. It's possible Hegseth will offer a revised pledge. Perhaps not, but that dressing room he had installed is calling out to his little television attention hog heart and it's going to get mighty little use.
Hegseth is absolutely, no question, THE worst SECDEF in the history of these United States. The least qualified, the least intelligent, the most morally compromised and corrupt. There aren’t enough negative words in the dictionary to describe the depths of incompetence that man embodies. Heaven help us if we enter a real war, or are forced into one, with this pathetic excuse for a human being in charge of our military. I fear that we are going to find out how truly awful that time will be sooner rather than later. May God have mercy on our souls.
another good one. thanks
Well, here we go, Admiral Alvin Holsey is retiring 2 years early, per Reuters:
“ The admiral who leads U.S. military forces in Latin America will step down at the end of this year, two years ahead of schedule, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on Thursday, in a surprise move amid escalating tensions with Venezuela.
A source familiar with the matter told Reuters that there had been tension between Admiral Alvin Holsey and Hegseth over operations in the Caribbean and questions about whether he would be fired in the days leading up to the announcement….
…. Holsey's departure comes against the backdrop of a military buildup in the Caribbean that includes U.S.-guided missile destroyers, F-35 fighter jets, a nuclear submarine and around 6,500 troops as President Donald Trump escalates a standoff with the Venezuelan government.
U.S. military strikes against suspected drug boats off Venezuela have killed at least 27 people, raising alarms among some legal experts and mostly Democratic lawmakers, who question whether they adhere to the laws of war. The Trump administration argues it is in a war with narcoterrorist groups from Venezuela, making the strikes legitimate.
On Wednesday, Trump disclosed that he had authorized the Central Intelligence Agency to conduct covert operations inside Venezuela, adding to speculation in Caracas that the United States is attempting to topple President Nicolas Maduro. …..
…. Less than a week ago, the Pentagon announced its counter-narcotics operations in the region would not be led by the Miami-based Southern Command, but by II Marine Expeditionary Force, a unit capable of rapid overseas operations that is based at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.
That decision came as a surprise to U.S. military-watchers, since a combatant command like Southern Command would normally lead any high-profile operations.”
“In surprise move, head of US military for Latin America to step down”, By Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali, Reuters, 10/16/25, https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/surprise-move-head-us-military-latin-america-step-down-2025-10-16/
———————————
Oh, did I forget to mention that Admiral Holsey is Black?
Thank you sir.
Here’s the kind of highly detailed reporting I assume we will lose as a result of this elimination of the Pentagon Press:
“Top U.S. Admiral Overseeing Caribbean Deployments to Step Down”, by Lara Seligman, WSJ, 10/16/25, https://apple.news/AYNRksSoqTjyokG9xI95j-g
Note that the article says that military lawyers themselves are questioning the legality of these actions in the Caribbean near the coast of Venezuela. No doubt Hegseth doesn’t want reporters knowing that…and all the other stuff.
“… Inside the Pentagon, military lawyers and other officials have raised concerns centering on the basis for the strikes themselves as well as the legal implications for U.S. military personnel involved in the operations. Some defense officials have provided written and verbal legal opinions to decision makers at the Pentagon, but think they are being deliberately sidelined, The Wall Street Journal has reported.
The U.S. has recently moved heavy weaponry into the Caribbean region, including eight Navy warships, an attack submarine, F-35B jet fighters that are now based in Puerto Rico, P-8 Poseidon spy planes and MQ-9 Reaper drones.
The Pentagon in recent weeks has deployed elite special-operations forces to the region, including the Army’s 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment—known as the “Night Stalkers”—which has been conducting training flights fewer than 90 miles from Venezuela, according to* a* U.S. official. The unit flies missions for commandos such as Green Berets, The Navy SEALs and Delta Force and is noted for its role in the raid that killed Osama bin Laden…”
With only one entity willing to sign his loyalty pledge, he's a bit thin on followers. Some won't sign and will use leaks and retired military sources and feel freer to report what they find. What little hesitation they felt around reporting on their "hosts" will have evaporated. Some won't sign because the agreement it contained saying that reporting anything not pre-approved can be deemed treasonous sounded alarm bells. It's possible Hegseth will offer a revised pledge. Perhaps not, but that dressing room he had installed is calling out to his little television attention hog heart and it's going to get mighty little use.
Can the U.S. actually declare a proper ‘war’ against ‘narcoterrorists’ ?
— insofar as that allows them to kill in the manner they are doing?
Hegseth’s actions re: media truly is “cowardice cloaked in patriotism”.
— Trump is all for this kind of media crackdown too … they are both weak men hoping to appear strong … and get away with murdering people & democracy.
The worst of the worst, and it continues to worsen. The moral rot grows exponentially.