Brace yourselves, patriots—Secretary of War Pete Hegseth is stepping up to the podium with a mission to rebuild what he calls the "arsenal of freedom."
According to Fox News, on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at the Reagan National Defense Forum in Simi Valley, California, Hegseth will deliver a keynote address around 2:50 p.m. ET, joined by top military and political leaders to tackle the future of national defense.
Leading up to this high-stakes speech, Hegseth took to X with a video showcasing his tour of facilities in California, laying the groundwork for his vision.
His message? It's time to ditch the old, bloated systems that have held back America’s military might for too long.
"The era of vendor-locked, prime-dominated, closed architecture, cost plus is over. We're going to compete," Hegseth declared in his X video, promising a faster, smarter approach to defense innovation.
Let’s unpack that—Hegseth isn’t just talking change; he’s demanding a complete overhaul of how we equip our troops, a refreshing jab at the bureaucratic mess that’s often prioritizing profit over purpose.
Hegseth’s rallying cry of rebuilding the "arsenal of freedom" isn’t just rhetoric; it’s a call to action for everyone from soldiers to civilians working behind the scenes.
"So, this arsenal of freedom is built not just with men and women in camouflage. But it's in folks in civilian clothes all across the country who are also putting in the work 24/7, to out-compete, out-innovate and out-manufacture our opponents," Hegseth stated on X.
That’s a powerful reminder—while the left often obsesses over social experiments in the military, Hegseth keeps the focus on what matters: ensuring our warfighters have the tools to win, supported by every American pitching in.
The Reagan National Defense Forum, hosted at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, isn’t just another conference—it’s a critical gathering of minds shaping America’s security.
From Members of Congress to industry executives and military brass, the event draws leaders across the political spectrum to assess policies amid a complex global threat landscape. While some might roll their eyes at the bipartisan guest list, it’s a rare chance to see if common ground can be found on defending the nation, rather than debating divisive cultural agendas.
Sharing the stage with Hegseth are heavy hitters like Russell Vought, director of the Office of Management and Budget, and Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee.
Also speaking are Emil Michael, under secretary of war for research and engineering, and Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, rounding out a lineup that signals serious business.
With such a mix, Hegseth’s push to prioritize mission over bureaucracy might just find allies—or at least spark a debate worth having, cutting through the noise of progressive policies that often sidetrack defense priorities.