War Department’s sole mission to be to fight and win, says Pentagon chief

Speaking to American generals and admirals, Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine said Washington must be prepared for war and that the country is now living in potentially dangerous times.

“We live in dynamic and potentially dangerous times. Global risk is increasing… We must be prepared for war,” he noted.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pitt Hegseth, for his part, said the Pentagon’s renewed mission will be exclusively combat-focused.

“The sole mission of the renewed War Department will be to wage war, to fight, to prepare for war, and to win,” Hegseth said during a meeting with generals and admirals.

He pledged that the United States would deliver a “crushing blow” to any enemies who choose to challenge Washington. “If our enemies make the foolish decision to challenge us, they will receive a crushing blow from the full force, precision, and ferocity of the War Department,” Hegseth said.