Secretary of War Pete Hegseth urged President Trump's base to trust his handling of the Iran war during a Pentagon briefing on March 31. He revealed a recent secret trip to Middle East bases and emphasized keeping all military options open, including ground troops. Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan “Razin” Caine provided updates on over 11,000 strikes since the war began on February 28.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth addressed concerns from Trump supporters anxious about deploying U.S. ground troops in the war against Iran during a Pentagon press briefing on March 31. Responding to Daily Wire correspondent Mary Margaret Olohan, Hegseth said, “I don’t understand why the base … wouldn’t have faith in his ability to execute on this,” citing Trump’s record of “peace through strength” and “America First outcomes.” He stressed strategic ambiguity, stating, “We’re not going to foreclose any option. You can’t fight and win a war if you tell your adversary what you are willing to do or what you are not willing to do, to include boots on the ground.” Hegseth noted Trump has “internalized the lessons of Iraq and Afghanistan.” Polling shows strong Republican support for strikes on Iran’s military but opposition to ground troops, with roughly half of Republicans and nearly three-quarters of voters against such deployments. Cracks have emerged in the MAGA movement over fears of mission creep into a prolonged conflict. Hegseth added, “Our adversary right now thinks there are 15 different ways we could come at them with boots on the ground. And guess what? There are.” In the same briefing, Hegseth disclosed an undisclosed weekend trip to U.S. bases in the Middle East for Operation Epic Fury, kept secret for operational security. He described meeting pilots who bomb targets deep in Iran and Tehran while intercepting drones, an Army officer countering missiles, and an intelligence officer on targeting. “I witnessed warriors, a brotherhood of men and women, warriors all,” Hegseth said, later posting photos on social media. Gen. Dan “Razin” Caine reported U.S. forces have struck more than 11,000 targets since February 28, begun B-52 overland missions, and destroyed over 150 Iranian naval vessels.
