Speaker 1 (00:15):
Hey, good afternoon. Woo.
(00:23)
We're get started here momentarily. First announcement is the bathrooms are going to be secured in about 10 minutes. So, if you want to use them, now's the time. Other than that, like I say, we're expecting him to be down here in 10, 15 minutes, probably something like that. And it's a big day. Really appreciate everybody being here. I did hear that he had a good trip this morning down to Electric Boat. And one of the things that he really liked was all the noise that people made. So, don't be bashful. He wants to hear a noise and we think you guys can make it. Yeah, practice make some noise.
(01:15)
Yesterday, the Secretary of War's office put out an announcement that he was going to be coming. And in the announcement told about the purpose of why he's here. And he talks about the message will emphasize our national security, the peace of the world move at the speed of our defense industrial base. So, what he's saying is that for the world to be safe, the faster the industrial base goes, the safer the world is. And they rely on the hard work of the American workforce, which is you. You.
(01:58)
The tour, which he's hitting several places, he has already, he's going to be going many more places over the next few months. He says, the tour will highlight the urgent need to rebuild our defense industrial base, which is really, really important that we do that, and we're a big part of the industrial base. American manufacturing is the bedrock of American strength. The men and women fueling this work are on the front lines, along with our warfighters furthering the nation's efforts every day they show up for work.
(02:33)
The tour will champion a new approach to defense acquisition, one that prioritizes and awards speed, innovation, and commercial-first mindset. So, you will hear him today talk about the need for speed. He told us when he came in this afternoon, we had lunch here a few moments ago and he gave a little address for us and he said, "We love 51s." He really did. And he says, "We just love them. They're the backbone of our fleet out there and we love these ships. And obviously, we want to build a lot more of them."
(03:10)
He said they want to do cutting bureaucratic red tape, empowering program leaders and providing stable long-term contracts necessary for the industry to invest and expand. So, one of the things that's on the minds of the leaders, like himself, is really trying to change the dynamic where we have long-term contracts in place, which we would all like. So, you can plan in for many years of employment and good jobs and that's really a key that they're on.
(03:57)
Anyway, it's called the Arsenal of Freedom Tour. And I'd say we're really excited that we're on that tour and really a key piece of that tour today. And what we're hoping is that everybody here give him a good warm welcome, show our appreciation for what he's trying to do for our country, and that we're here to build all the ships that they want and build them as fast as we can and just show him how we believe in this effort that he is spearheading. So, I really hope that everybody feels that way and is excited as I am that he's here and doing this.
(04:41)
So, there's a few minutes, a few more people are going to show up here and start populating the front row and then he'll show up. Chuck's going to do a little introduction of him and then we'll get going. So, that's what I know is going on at the moment. And I know that pretty soon they're going to get some music going to get us rocking and rolling and all that. But like I say, they really want us to be rowdy and the words... They use is, "Be rowdy." And I know shipbuilders can be rowdy, so that's really good.
(05:28)
So, then next up is Mike O'Neill. He wanted to say a few words. Mike, Mike, Mike, Mike, Mike. I can't believe it, Mike. He's always talking. Now, he doesn't want to talk, huh? Sherm, you want to say a few words? You want to say a few words, Sherm? No, Sherm isn't going to either. No?
Audience (06:02):
[inaudible 00:06:05].
Speaker 1 (06:07):
Yeah. Yeah. Sherm says he doesn't talk much either, right?
Audience (06:09):
[inaudible 00:06:11].
Speaker 1 (06:10):
Right. Yeah. All right. Yeah. How about Chris? You can talk, can't you, Chris? Come on. All right. Chris Wagner, everybody. Hello, Chris Wagner. Come on. Tell them how fired up you are.
Speaker 2 (06:37):
All right.
Speaker 1 (06:38):
Tell them how fired up you are, Chris. Come on. Go for it.
Speaker 2 (06:41):
All right. Hey, guys, how you doing? Hey, guys, how you doing? That's what I'm talking about. Listen, I'm going to keep it short and sweet. I just wanted to let BIW know and you guys know that for me, especially it's a proud moment. I'm really excited to see Mr. Hegseth today. And this is the reason why Bath-built is best built. Go BIW. Let's hear it. Come on. Come on, guys. One more time. Let's hear it. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (07:18):
Like I said. Thank you very much. All right.
Audience (07:22):
[inaudible 00:07:29].
Speaker 1 (07:22):
Who do we need?
Audience (07:22):
[inaudible 00:07:33].
Speaker 1 (07:36):
Cot, you coming up?
Audience (07:36):
[inaudible 00:07:39].
Speaker 1 (07:38):
Oh, you did? All right. You're good. All right.
Audience (07:39):
[inaudible 00:07:40].
MUSIC (07:39):
Revvin' up your engine.
(07:39)
Listen to her howlin' roar.
(07:39)
Metal under tension.
(07:39)
Beggin' you to touch and go.
(07:39)
Highway to the danger zone.
(07:39)
Ride into the danger zone.
(07:39)
Headin' into twilight.
(07:39)
Spreadin' out her wings tonight.
(07:39)
She got you jumpin' off the deck.
(07:39)
And shovin' into overdrive.
(07:39)
Highway to the danger zone.
(07:39)
I'll take you right into the danger zone.
(07:39)
You'll never say hello to you.
(07:39)
Until you get it on the red line overload.
(07:39)
You'll never know what you can do.
(07:58)
Until you get it up as high as you can go.
Speaker 4 (09:37):
I just want to say 53 years of service right here. Right here.
Speaker 3 (09:43):
And still going.
Speaker 4 (09:43):
What?
Speaker 3 (09:47):
And still going.
Speaker 4 (09:49):
Bath built is what?
Audience (09:50):
Bath built is [inaudible 00:09:51].
Speaker 3 (09:50):
Number one. The one thing I like to say is all the time that I've been here, we came in and we had a lot of fun. By doing that, you end up getting a lot of work done. The secret is to make a family.
Speaker 4 (10:13):
Woo. Absolutely.
Speaker 3 (10:17):
I have breakfast with guys that I worked with 50 years ago. I've been to their weddings, I've been to their baby showers of their children. I've been to the children's... It's a family. We don't swap anything for... no matter what. And one will call and say, "Okay, my daughter's getting married." Bingo, off we go. And that's what you want to do. You want to build a family. And if you do it, you're going to have a much better life here.
Speaker 4 (10:53):
There you go, buddy. We are family, right?
Speaker 3 (11:01):
Huh?
Speaker 4 (11:01):
We are family.
Speaker 3 (11:01):
We are family.
Speaker 4 (11:01):
There we go. Woo.
Speaker 3 (11:05):
And David had to pay me $100 to come up and do this.
Speaker 4 (11:07):
Yeah, me too.
Speaker 1 (11:07):
Yeah, here you go. Here you go.
Speaker 3 (11:15):
He's one of the best guys you'll ever work with. I was his first boss. He's going to be my last boss. He worked for me at McDonald's.
Speaker 1 (11:29):
That's right. [inaudible 00:11:29].
Speaker 3 (11:29):
Yeah. I was his first boss and he's going to be my last boss. I hope he treats me better than I treated him.
Speaker 4 (11:37):
Let's show we loved, Sherm. Woo. Sir, raise your hand. Raise your hand.
MUSIC (13:49):
Out along the edges.
(13:49)
Always where I burn to be.
(13:49)
The further on the edge.
(13:49)
The hotter the intensity.
(13:49)
Highway to the danger zone.
(13:49)
Gonna take it right into the danger zone.
(13:49)
Highway to the danger zone.
(13:49)
Ride into the danger zone.
(13:49)
Highway to the danger zone.
(13:49)
Gonna take it right into the danger zone.
(13:49)
Highway to the danger zone.
(13:49)
Ride into the danger zone.
(13:49)
Highway to the danger zone.
(13:49)
Gonna take it right into the danger zone.
(13:49)
Highway to the danger zone.
(13:49)
Ride into the danger zone.
(13:49)
Highway to the danger zone.
(13:49)
Well, I won't back down.
(13:49)
No, I won't back down.
(13:55)
You could stand me up at the gates of Hell.
(13:59)
But
MUSIC (14:00):
But I won't back down.
(14:00)
No, I'll stand my ground.
(14:08)
Won't be turned around.
(14:12)
And I'll keep this world from dragging me down.
(14:16)
Gonna stand my ground.
(14:23)
And I won't back down.
(14:23)
I won't back down.
(14:23)
Hey, baby.
(14:23)
There ain't no easy way out.
(14:23)
I won't back down.
(14:23)
Hey, I will stand my ground. And I won't back down.
(14:42)
Well, I know what's right.
(14:42)
I got just one life.
(14:54)
In a world that keeps on pushin' me around.
(14:57)
But I'll stand my ground.
(14:57)
And I won't back down.
(14:57)
I won't back down.
(14:57)
Hey, baby.
(14:57)
There ain't no easy way out.
(14:57)
I won't back down.
(14:57)
Hey, I will stand my ground.
(14:57)
I won't back down.
(14:57)
And I won't back down.
(14:57)
I won't back down.
(14:57)
Hey, baby.
(14:57)
There ain't no easy way out.
(14:57)
I won't back down.
(14:57)
Hey, I won't back down.
(14:57)
I won't back down.
(14:57)
Hey, baby.
(14:57)
There ain't no easy way out.
(14:57)
I won't back down.
(14:57)
Hey, I will stand my ground.
(14:57)
I won't back down.
(14:57)
And I won't back down.
(14:57)
I won't back down.
(14:57)
No, I won't back down.
(16:54)
So your back's backed up against the wall. And the bandwagon's fallin' right off.
(17:00)
And you're hearin' all the talk about.
(17:01)
"Maybe you should think about."
(17:03)
"What you're gonna do if it don't work out."
(17:06)
It ain't about if it makes sense.
(17:06)
'Cause if the boot do, it don't fit.
(17:12)
As far as I can see, there ain't no way to be.
(17:15)
Somebody if you're just 'gon quit.
(17:17)
So, if you got a fire, don't lose it.
(17:19)
If you got a do-or-die dream, do it.
(17:19)
If you got somethin' to prove, go on and prove it.
(17:19)
Don't let nobody clip your wings.
(17:29)
Keep your head down, keep on the blinders.
(17:29)
Tune out the doubters and all the closed minders.
(17:29)
If it's in your blood, fallin' down ain't enough.
(17:39)
To change who you were born to be.
(17:40)
Gettin' back up, that's the only backup plan you need.
(17:44)
Well life's got a lot of sticks and stones.
(17:44)
And a blade that'll cut you to the bone.
(17:44)
But if you're doing what you love and it kills you.
(17:44)
Well, you can live with that all day long.
(17:44)
So, if you got a fire, don't lose it.
(17:44)
If you got a do-or-die dream, do it.
(18:48)
If you got somethin' to prove, go on and prove it.
(18:48)
Don't let nobody clip your wings.
(18:48)
Keep your head down, keep on the blinders.
(18:48)
Tune out the doubters and all the closed minders.
(18:48)
If it's in your blood, fallin' down ain't enough.
(18:48)
To change who you were born to be.
(21:13)
Gettin' back up, that's the only backup plan you need.
(21:13)
So if you got a fire, don't lose it.
(21:13)
If you got a do-or-die dream, do it.
(21:13)
If you got somethin' to prove, go on and prove it.
(21:13)
Don't let nobody clip your wings.
(21:13)
Keep your head down, keep on the blinders.
(21:13)
Tune out the doubters and all the closed minders.
(21:13)
If it's in your blood, fallin' down ain't enough.
(21:13)
To change who you were born to be.
(21:13)
Gettin' back up, that's the only backup plan you need.
(21:13)
Yeah, gettin' back up, that's the only backup plan you need.
(21:13)
We're leavin' together.
(21:13)
But still it's farewell.
(21:13)
And maybe we'll come back.
(21:13)
To Earth, who can tell?
(21:13)
I guess there is no one to blame.
(21:13)
We're leaving ground.
(21:13)
Leaving ground.
(21:13)
Will things ever be the same again?
(21:13)
It's the final countdown.
Speaker 5 (21:13):
Good afternoon, BIW.
Audience (21:13):
Whoo.
Speaker 5 (21:42):
Today General Dynamics Bath Iron Works is proud to be part of the Arsenal of Freedom Tour, highlighting the manufacturing that delivers tools and technology to America's warfighters in the 21st century. That's what we do here. We build the DDG, which is the workhorse of the United States Navy. There's no better symbol of manufacturing prowess than people here at BIW who design, build, and support the world's most sophisticated worship, the Arleigh Burke destroyer. For 400 years, people have been building ships along the Kennebec River here in Maine. The men and women of BIW continue that legacy, carrying on the tradition that Bath built is best built.
Audience (22:36):
Whoo.
Speaker 5 (22:45):
Our people have developed an amazing expertise in many of the complex structures and systems that form a guided-missile destroyer. Every skilled tradesperson, designer, engineer is a natural asset, you and your heart and soul you put into each one of the ships we build.
(23:12)
Shipbuilding is hard work. Before I came here a few years ago, I worked in aviation, as you all know. When people ask me, "What's the difference between building airplanes and building ships?" I always reply, "Building airplanes is cool. Building ships is badass."
Audience (23:34):
Whoo.
Speaker 5 (23:39):
The Navy wants our ships as fast as we can build them. I have shown the secretary this morning how we are focused on reaching our best ever performance due to production gains we are making in each one of the Flight III ships we build. The team here is making those gains every day. Thank you.
(24:04)
I do not have to tell this audience how important these ships are to the fleet. You are here because you support our Navy. Our sailors are actively protecting the freedom of the seas, our country, and our families right now.
(24:24)
We at BIW are honored and proud to have more than a dozen DDG-built 51s that have served over the past 18 months in the Red Sea, protecting our fleet, protecting civilian ships from the Houthi drones and missile attacks. BIW ships are now serving in combat. It's a sobering thought, for sure.
(24:56)
When sailors on our ships need everything to work the way it was designed to, Bath built quality answers the call every time. There is no higher mission than protecting our men and women in the armed forces. Our mission at BIW matters. The people of this shipyard make Bath built best built. Therefore, on behalf of the hardworking men and women at General Dynamics Bath Iron Works and our CEO, my boss, Phebe Novakovic, I am proud to welcome the honorable Pete Hegseth, Secretary of War, to BIW.
Audience (25:39):
Whoo.
MUSIC (25:44):
Many men wish death upon me.
(25:48)
Blood in my eye, dawg, and I can't see.
(25:50)
I'm tryin' to be what I'm destined to be.
(25:52)
And (beep) tryin' to take my life away.
(25:55)
Come on.
(25:55)
I put a (beep) for me.
(25:59)
My back on the wall, now you gon' see.
(26:00)
Better watch how you talk when you talk about me.
(26:00)
'Cause I'll come and (beep) away.
(26:08)
Many men.
(26:08)
Many, many, many, many men.
(26:12)
Wish death 'pon me.
(26:13)
Lord, I don't cry no more.
(26:16)
Don't look to the sky no more.
(26:18)
Have mercy on me.
(26:19)
(Beep) puttin' money on my head ...
Pete Hegseth (26:22):
How are we doing? What's up? What's going on, guys? How are we doing? Beautiful. Well, you guys just made my day.
Audience (26:23):
Hell yeah.
(26:23)
Whoo.
Pete Hegseth (26:30):
What a crew. How are we doing today?
Audience (26:32):
[inaudible 00:26:33].
(26:32)
Whoo.
Pete Hegseth (26:35):
Incredible. Incredible. Well, the Arsenal of Freedom Tour, which we're on, it's about two things, quite simply. I'm here to thank you for what you do, the job you do, the way you do it, and I'm here to tell you to keep going. Go hard and go fast and get these capabilities to the warfighter.
(26:56)
See, our job is to have the backs of those warriors, to ensure that they have everything they need so they're never in a fair fight. But we can't do that without you. What you're building here in Bath is essential to the Arsenal of Freedom. Nobody builds it better than you guys.
Audience (27:17):
Yeah.
Pete Hegseth (27:29):
You see, rightfully and understandably so, we talk a lot about the door-kickers and the pilots dropping precision bombs. We talk a lot about intel analysts and mechanics wearing camouflage, and rightfully so. They're all incredibly important to our nation. But look at what you accomplish right here in the birthplace of American shipping. There's a sign at the front as we came through. It says, "Through these gates walk the best shipbuilders in the world."
Audience (27:57):
Yeah.
Pete Hegseth (28:00):
We're going to have to get President Trump out here sometime. See, your job is to live up to that every day. It's your job to have the backs of our war fighters. See, you're designing and constructing the most advanced ships in human history, integral elements of ensuring peace through strength. You've dedicated your lives to precision and skill. You've welded the foundations, you've checked the seals and the pressure, guaranteed that the ladders and the hatches are in place and functional and all made beautiful with a fresh set of paint. All right here in the United States of America.
(29:03)
And you see, for far too long in our previous administrations, we had leaders who thought we could outsource our critical work to other countries, or that we could live in a so-called global environment where American skills and American factories and shipyards didn't matter anymore, or that a glacial pace of over-budget prime contractors was tolerated or the norm. Well, under President Donald J. Trump, those days are over.
(29:42)
You see, we live in a realistic world where made in the USA and made with urgency matters. A realistic world where if you want American strength, you need to have American manufacturing. You see, right after Pearl Harbor our nation's enemies asserted that America was a nation of weaklings. President Franklin Roosevelt answered, "Let them tell that to the soldiers who today are fighting in the waters of the Pacific." And then he said, "Let them tell that to the Marines." You got a few out there?
(30:17)
You see, for decades, politicians, professors, consultants, and lobbyists have asserted there was nothing wrong with depending on imports, on everything from our medicine to our national security. "Outsourcing is good for America," said the scribblers at the Wall Street Journal. Let them tell that to the patriots here at Bath Iron Works. When we unleash our companies, we win. When we compete, we win. When we innovate, we win. When we go fast, we win. When we confront the status quo, as this company has been doing, we win. And that is our job at the War Department, to unleash you just as we are unleashing our warriors.
(31:09)
And President Trump has done that with some key guiding principles. The first is that we put America and Americans first. Her security, her citizens, her workers, first. Long overdue. Second, we're establishing peace through strength. At the War Department, we're the strength department. Our job is to be that hammer when necessary, and I'm hopeful we don't have to use it. That's the idea of deterrence. You get peace through deterrence, but if you must fight you will be unleashed to fight to win overwhelmingly. Not fight politically correct. Overwhelming violence of action at the decisive moment so the enemy knows exactly what you mean.
(32:13)
And of course, with all of it, President Trump expects common sense, which is not so common in Washington. It's less red tape, more incentives, speed on the factory floor. Common sense is the priorities at the War Department as well. First and foremost, in our department we're reviving the Warrior Ethos. We're eliminating distractions and debris. No more DEI, no more dudes in dresses, no more climate change, worship social justice or political correctness. We're done with all that garbage. We're done with, "Our diversity is our strength," which is the single dumbest phrase in military history. "Our diversity is our strength," our generals used to say it time and time again with a straight face. No, no, no, no. I see a lot of different faces out here from different backgrounds, and that's a beautiful thing. But the reality is, your unity is your strength. Your shared purpose is your strength. What you're able to do together with a common purpose and a common mission is what makes America special and different. So we're unleashing our war fighters to get back to basics. They'll be ready, they'll be trained, they'll be disciplined, accountable, and lethal. That's the whole point. And when you allow them to do that they're outstanding at their job, as the world saw as an indicted criminal in Venezuela found out last month. You see, it's actually really simple. We're just allowing commanders to be commanders again. And that's why they say to us, "Hey, we've never felt this supported before ever in our time under command. Under President Trump and the War Department, you're allowing us the authorities to go out and do what we must do. You're clearing out the debris." That's our job, to serve the war fighters and ultimately serve you who have their backs, getting out of their way so that they can accomplish the mission.
(34:40)
In addition to reviving the Warrior Ethos, we're rebuilding our military. That's why we're here on the arsenal of freedom to reviving our defense industrial base. If we can't make the things we need at speed and get them into the hands of the Navy and the Coast Guard and the Air Force and the Army and the Space Force, Marine Corps, then ... There's those Marines again. That's why we're here in Maine. We're going across the country in the next couple of months on this tour, talking to industry, large and small, old and new, because we need all of you to move fast, at scale, at cost, so that we compete and frankly out-compete our adversaries. We are rebuilding the arsenal of freedom, just as President Trump did in his first term, and we're doing it again.
(35:28)
President Trump, you may have heard, has announced the goal of $1.5 trillion for our national security budget in 2027. And I don't know if I'm supposed to say this yet, but yeah, we're maxing out on DDGs, okay. It's a workhorse and it's a damn good workhorse. And that kind of money spends a message to the world. Of course, we'll be wise with how we spend it. Make sure we're squeezing everything possible out of the best capabilities in the world. Ships front and center to that, but we're also addressing quality of life for troops. Getting after barracks, barracks improvements, new barracks, quality of life, and ensuring that they get paid what they should for the job that they do. We shouldn't have troops on food stamps. President Trump has addressed that before. We already addressed it in last year's budget, and we're going to do it again. Because when I talk to President Trump that I'm going to talk to a group like this, of folks in uniform or in hard hats, I say, "What do you want me to say?" And he always says, "You know, Pete, just tell them I love them." Because he does. He wants the best for our troops and he wants the best for you. And that's why, in addition to rebuilding the military, we're reestablishing deterrence. You see, under the previous administration, whether it was the disastrous withdrawal in Afghanistan that reverberated around the globe, October 7th when Hamas attacked Israel, the war unleashed on Ukraine, which never would have started if President Trump had been president, or the radicals who fired on our ships in the Red Sea, our border invaded by millions, tens of millions of illegals, the world saw a country open for challenge. It didn't look like America was prepared to lead. Biden was asleep and Lloyd Austin went AWOL.
(37:45)
So the first thing we had to do at the War Department was reestablish deterrence. It's an active thing. It's a verb. You have to continue to do it. You can't rely on legacy. And it started on day one, securing and locking down our border. We've gone nine months with zero crossings at our southern border. Turns out you didn't need new laws, you just needed a new president. Credit to our partners on the border, Customs and Border Protection, law enforcement, ICE and others who do very difficult jobs every day. The War Department is proud to stand alongside them. Securing our border is national security.
(38:38)
We also did it through our effort with the Houthis, Operation Rough Rider. From the beginning some people thought, "What are we doing there? Why the Houthis?" Well, it was because the Biden administration allowed Islamists to shoot at our commercial and military ships without consequence. I mean, somewhere Thomas Jefferson is rolling over in his grave. We've understood that free navigation of the seas is a core tenet of the United States of America and the United States Navy. Joe Biden allowed those attacks to happen as if they didn't matter. Well, we responded with 50 days of unrelenting air power and the Houthis cried uncle. They said, "We're not shooting at your ships anymore." And now American ships sail free in the region and around the world. Not to mention, last night we just announced we did a maritime interdiction on a dark fleet oil tanker in the middle of the Indian Ocean, in the Indo-Pacific region, and that ship had fled all the way from the Caribbean because when we put in the oil quarantine of illicit trafficking around Venezuela, a couple of ships decided to take off. And we saw them take off. And the only guidance I gave to my military commanders is, "None of those are getting away. None of them. I don't care if we got to go around the globe to get them, we're going to get them." And of course, I said that because I know if President Trump said I let one get away, he might say, "You're fired." And they did. Some great Americans made one of the longest maritime interdictions in our country's history last night, seizing that oil tanker, making sure it's sold properly, the quarantine remains in effect. No one else can dominate the seas like the United States of America. When we say blockade, we mean blockade.
(40:49)
Look at Iran, what President Trump said about their nuclear capabilities. Iran will never have a nuclear bomb. Well, Iranian leaders either didn't want to pay attention or didn't believe him, and then seven beautiful B-2s flew 37 hours undetected and dropped 14 30,000-pound munitions exactly where they were supposed to land, undetected, flawless. No other country in the world can do that. And the president has been clear to Iran, he wants a negotiated settlement. I think it would be a wise choice for them to take him up on that deal. The world saw America's capabilities, peace through strength, deterrence in action. We were out of Iran before Iran even knew we were there. No other country can do that.
(41:47)
You're seeing something similar with narco terrorists in our own hemisphere. How long have we been talking about going after drugs that have poisoned Americans and wrecked our communities? For the longest time, too long.
Pete Hegseth (42:00):
It was a catch and release program, a law enforcement function that didn't work. We'd catch the same traffickers and let them go. They'd go right back to it, no deterrence at all. But these narco terrorists and designated terrorist organizations, they were targeting our communities. This community, my community, your community, our kids and our people in our country. They knew exactly what they were doing, poisoning our country with fentanyl, cocaine, and any number of other drugs.
(42:28)
So instead of a catch and release program, President Trump demanded, "If you're going to sail drugs in international waters, we will target your drug boats and we will sink them." We sunk another one a couple days ago, but it had been a while. We haven't been sinking as many boats recently because we can't find many boats to sink. That's the whole point. They're not running drugs as much as they were before in international water because of that threat.
(43:08)
And then as I mentioned, on January 3rd, the whole world saw what our military is capable at, at every echelon from space to subsea. When we brought the indicted nominal leader of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro, from the most fortified base in the most fortified home, inside the most fortified location inside the biggest fort in their capital, in the middle of the night, without them knowing we were there until three minutes before when 44 simultaneous missiles landed right before our troops got down on those birds. It was the most sophisticated single raid in world history.
MUSIC (43:53):
Going down in history.
Pete Hegseth (43:55):
No other country ... What'd you say?
MUSIC (43:57):
Going down in history.
Pete Hegseth (43:58):
Going down in history. By the way, and no other president would have had the guts to make the call to follow through on that.
MUSIC (44:12):
Trump. Trump. Trump. Trump. Trump. Trump. Trump. Trump. Trump. Trump. Trump. Trump. Trump. Trump. Trump. Trump. Trump. Trump. Trump. Trump. Trump.
Pete Hegseth (44:22):
We love you.
MUSIC (44:23):
We love you too.
Pete Hegseth (44:25):
You see, Maduro said, "I'm right here. Come get me." Well, he found out. We came and got him.
MUSIC (44:33):
[inaudible 00:44:35].
Pete Hegseth (44:38):
So it brings me back to why I'm here looking you all in the eye. Reestablishing deterrence is a real thing. You are the men and women who pour their lives, your careers, your skills into building these ships that allow us to project that power, that exceed the standards of any shipbuilder anywhere in the world. Ships that, as you say, are built in blood, ready to go to battle and then bring our sailors home.
(45:06)
You will be, as you do your work, the ones who give us that decisive advantage. At the War Department, we're fighting every day to create an environment where you can do your job as quickly and efficiently as possible. You can imagine how difficult it is sometimes to move at speed and efficiently at the Pentagon. It's a giant headquarters. We have meetings to talk about meetings, to talk about meetings. It's a headquarters on steroids, but we're doing everything we can to reduce that red tape ... Not reduce, cut right through it and ensure that we overturn the way we do business so that you can do business.
(45:48)
That means not waiting years and spending tens of billions of dollars for some perfect solution 15 years in the future and a product that never gets into the hands of the war fighter. I tell people, "Do everything you can with this precious moment that we have. Rip out the bureaucracy, streamline the process so we can get the products into the hands of warriors." Urgency, urgency is my currency. Speed, efficiency, competition. And we're not just talking about it, we're funding it. The One Big Beautiful Bill invested 16 billion into strengthening our defense industrial base and shipbuilding, expediting innovation to the war fighter. I don't know what you know, but I know consistent demand signals are very important in this business. So we're sending clear and sustained demand signals that we want the best of American innovation and we need it now. Ensuring that companies such as General Dynamics and shipyards like yours must compete, will compete. And that means some tough truths, which we're sharing around the country. And the president signed an executive order on January 7th ordering the big defense contractors to be held to the highest standards. No more excuses, no more barriers to entry, no more monopolies, no more egregious executive bonuses, no more stock buybacks, no more ridiculous CEO salaries.
MUSIC (47:22):
Yeah.
Pete Hegseth (47:31):
Especially for companies that can't make things on time. You should see the fire in the president's eyes when he looks at the size of CEO salaries for companies that are years behind and billions over budget on projects they owe the war fighter. Hell half no fury like Donald Trump hearing about that.
MUSIC (47:48):
Because it's not about the money.
Pete Hegseth (47:50):
Because it's not about the money. That's exactly right. Not for me at least. You see, it's about the war fighters and their capabilities from the War Department's perspective. Of course, money's awash everywhere. We got to spend money to make money to ensure we have those capabilities and we need to pay our people and our workers more in the conduct of their work. So that's where it is about the money. And it's always better when it's made in America. We don't care whose name is on the side. It'd be great if it's Bath Iron Works, it'd be great if it's General Dynamics, but I actually don't care. We just want the best. We want the best fielded as quickly as possible. I don't care how many lobbyists or accountants any company has. If you build the best, the fastest, at cost, on behalf of taxpayers, you will win. That is how President Trump's War Department will work. Your leadership knows this is not about Wall Street dividends and stock buybacks. It's about the warriors and what we can deliver as fast as possible. It's about the people and the investment and the workforce.
(49:19)
And I look out at you and I know we have that, the best engineers, the best shipbuilders. I sat with one of your best welders, best entrepreneurs, best innovators. I'm here to express my appreciation to you. When I look out at this group, standing in front of you could be a line of soldiers or sailors, ultimately upfront. I see a few of them right here. And they get a lot of praise for what they do. I swore in a bunch of young Americans in Rhode Island this morning who raised their right hand to defend God and country and the Constitution. They're incredible. They're absolutely incredible. I call them the real 1%, but they can't do their work without all of you standing behind them, shoulder to shoulder, working your ass off every single day in tough, dirty, dangerous situations, ensuring that you get to them what they need when they need it. They literally can't win the next fight without you. And we were thinking about this three, four months ago when we thought this ... Thought, "I got to get out there and tell them. We got to get out there and look them in the eye and tell them that, 'We can't do it without you.'" It's a fact.
(50:47)
I can put as many people in uniform as I want, but if they don't have that equipment and the capabilities to project power, we can't ensure the 21st century is an American century. And if the 21st century is not an American century, it won't be a free century. It is about you, your kids, your grandkids, and their future. And when you go home, I know you look your kids, your wife, your spouses, your husband in the eye and say, "Hey, I know what I'm doing for a living is contributing to the protection, safety, and security of my nation." That's good work right there. So to your leadership, like I say to all leadership, invest in your plants and invest in your people. Go fast, take risks, and always build in America.
MUSIC (51:46):
Yeah.
Pete Hegseth (51:46):
This moment requires urgency. We need these things yesterday, and we're shoulder to shoulder with you because we can't deter the next conflict without you.
(51:57)
Last Thanksgiving, so a couple of months ago, my wife and I visited the guided missile destroyer, USS Winston Churchill, in the US Southern Command. And I told the soldiers there, because bay was open, said it was one of the most beautiful views of America I'd ever seen. But I also had the most beautiful view of America because I was on board a destroyer that was built right here at Bath Iron Works. Built in America, built by Americans, built by you.
(52:36)
You see, when President Trump spoke over the radio to the Americans who went downtown to Caracas, he simply said, "Good luck and Godspeed." I know that you all make your own luck because you're the best at what you do. As was said, Bath built, as they say, is best built. But Godspeed, because we need the skills that you have here and we need them urgently, our job is to ensure that you have everything you need in that process. We serve you, you serve the troops, the recipe is simple. Keep going and God bless. Thank you.
MUSIC (53:20):
I get up, and nothing gets me down.
(53:20)
You got it tough, I've seen the toughest around.
(54:05)
And I know, baby, just how you feel.
(54:17)
You got to roll with the punches and get to what's real.
(54:17)
Oh, can't you see me standing here?
(54:17)
I got my back against the record machine.
(54:17)
I ain't the worst that you've seen.
(54:17)
Oh, can't you see what I mean?
(54:17)
Oh, might as well jump.
(54:17)
Jump.
(54:17)
Might as well jump.
(54:17)
Go ahead and jump.
(54:17)
Jump.
(54:17)
Go ahead and jump.
(54:17)
Oh, hey you, who said that?
(54:17)
Baby, how you been?
(54:23)
You say you don't know.
(55:00)
You won't know until you begin.
(55:00)
So can't you see me standing here?
(55:00)
I got my back against the record machine.