At the White House Governors Dinner, President Donald Trump highlighted the contributions of Pete Hegseth, calling him “a great military leader” who “turned out to be absolutely fantastic at what he does… you know what he does.” Trump praised Hegseth for inspiring U.S. service members and noted that military recruitment and interest in uniformed service had reached record levels under his leadership, encompassing the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Space Force, Coast Guard, and even first responders like police and firefighters. Trump added, “In fact, if you’d like to make those great services larger, this is an awfully good time to do it. Let’s make them larger if you want. But we’ve never had anything like it… all it is is spirit and love for our country. It’s very simple.”
Trump: Pete Hegseth—turned out to be absolutely fantastic at what he does, and you know what he does. pic.twitter.com/sAawixoC2R
— Acyn (@Acyn) February 22, 2026
Hegseth, confirmed as Secretary of Defense on January 24, 2025, and later heading the newly renamed Department of War from September 5, 2025, has implemented wide-ranging reforms in the military. His tenure has emphasized restoring a “warrior ethos,” purging leaders deemed disloyal or tied to DEI initiatives, speeding up acquisition of warfighting capabilities, and conducting assertive operations against perceived threats such as ISIS and narco-terrorism networks. Key actions include Operation Hawkeye Strike in Syria, counter-narcotics operations under Operation Southern Spear, and the high-profile capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro during Operation Absolute Resolve. His approach has been framed as “peace through strength,” with emphasis on rapid response, hemisphere security, and military readiness.
Hegseth led the assembled officials in an opening prayer. In it, he asked for divine guidance and protection for U.S. leaders and troops:
Hegseth: Tonight, we pray for our president, president trump. Give him wisdom… pic.twitter.com/j2fIiDVy9Z
— Acyn (@Acyn) February 22, 2026
“Dear heavenly father, King Jesus, we come humbly before your throne, praising you for all the providence you’ve bestowed upon this nation. For over 250 years, from George Washington to President Trump, we’ve dedicated this nation to one nation under God. And certainly in God we trust. As we think 250 years ago to George Washington on bended knee in Valley Forge appealing to heaven on behalf of his troops in this young nation, we’ve appealed to you from the beginning and may we continue to appeal to you. Lord, we pray for our president, President Trump. Give him safety. Give him wisdom. Lord, we pray for our vice president, our first lady, our second lady, the cabinet members here, all the governors assembled here as well, our civil magistrates. Lord God, give them the wisdom to see what is right and the courage to do it. Wisdom defined as the fear of the Lord, the source of all knowledge and wisdom. Lord God, may your eternal truths rule. We also pray for our great troops, our men and women all around the globe defending our great nation as they have for 250 years. Lord God, watch over them and protect them. It is in your holy name, the Lord Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, that we pray and we bless this food. Amen.”
Trump’s remarks framed Hegseth as central to revitalizing U.S. military strength, morale, and readiness, tying his leadership directly to a resurgence in patriotism and recruitment, while underscoring his broader agenda to assert U.S. power and influence globally.
