Secretary of War Hegseth Visits Sierra Nevada Corp., Calls for $1.5 Trillion Defense Investment

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth made a stop in the Dayton, Ohio region as part of his Arsenal of Freedom Tour, speaking to staff at Sierra Nevada Corporation. He lauded the company’s role in developing “counter-disable” capabilities for roadside bombs and highlighted how such innovations have saved soldiers’ lives. Hegseth criticized Washington officials and lobbyists for misunderstanding the defense industry, arguing that prior to President Donald Trump the nation relied on outsourcing and “globalist” trade deals.

He claimed Trump restored urgency in U.S. manufacturing and pledged a new “Golden Age” of American industrial strength. The secretary urged Congress to approve a $1.5 trillion defense investment that would create high-paying jobs and demanded a comprehensive audit of the Department of War’s spending by 2028. He also emphasized the need to reduce Pentagon bureaucracy to deliver equipment faster to warfighters.