Secretary of War Pete Hegseth Just Sent A Blunt Warning To America’s Enemies - This Stunned the Entire World

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Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced Friday that the Pentagon is shifting to what he called a “wartime footing,” warning that the United States is prepared to respond swiftly if any adversaries “FAFO” — short for “f*ck around and find out.”

In a lengthy address outlining new defense priorities, Hegseth said his department is revamping procurement, testing, and weapons readiness to ensure the U.S. military can strike decisively if challenged, Mediate reported.

“We are not just buying something. We are solving life-and-death problems for our warfighters,” Hegseth said. “We’re not building for peacetime; we are pivoting the Pentagon and industrial base to a wartime footing — building for victory should our adversaries FAFO.”

The defense secretary said he has ordered the Department of War — formerly the Department of Defense — to deliver a comprehensive plan to streamline test and evaluation requirements.

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“Testing early and often is essential at early stages of development, but testing for the sake of testing inhibits progress and delays delivery,” Hegseth said.

He added that new “portfolio scorecards” will measure how quickly weapons systems can be deployed to active units, emphasizing speed and combat readiness over bureaucratic reviews.

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“We will shine a light on performance standards,” Hegseth said. “Our primary performance measure is how long it takes to put weapons in the hands of our men and women who use them if and when necessary.”

Hegseth said too many current systems are “not able to fight right now” because they are stuck in maintenance depots or awaiting repairs.

“Far too many systems are languishing in shipyards and waiting years for parts,” he said. “We will maximize the number of weapons systems that are available for conflict. The faster we can deliver modern weapons systems, the faster we can retire decades-old legacy systems.”

The policy shift comes amid rising global tensions, with the Trump administration ramping up military operations targeting drug trafficking routes in the Caribbean and Pacific. Nearly 70 people have been killed in recent airstrikes against suspected drug-transport boats, according to officials.

President Donald Trump has also floated the possibility of limited land strikes in Venezuela, describing them as potential preemptive actions to combat the flow of narcotics into the United States.

Pentagon officials have not confirmed whether such operations are imminent, but Hegseth’s remarks signal a broader readiness for rapid military engagement if ordered.

Defense analysts said the speech marked one of Hegseth’s most aggressive statements since taking office, reflecting a push to cut red tape and boost production of critical weapons systems.

“He’s making clear that the United States is done with bureaucratic defense management,” one defense official said privately. “The Pentagon is preparing to move at the speed of conflict.”

Hegseth’s “wartime footing” initiative is expected to include reforms in contracting, supply chain management, and readiness standards for both conventional and cyber forces. The secretary said his intent is to ensure that if conflict erupts, “the U.S. military fights with 21st-century weapons, not 20th-century paperwork.”

While the administration’s broader strategy toward Venezuela and other flashpoints remains under review, Hegseth’s message was unmistakable: the U.S. is preparing for rapid escalation if provoked.

“Our enemies should understand exactly what FAFO means,” Hegseth said. “America is ready — and so are her warriors.”