Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth arrived at the Pentagon on Monday, beginning his first official day at the helm of the government’s largest department. “It’s an honor to be here. It’s an honor to serve on behalf of the president and serve on behalf of the country. It’s an amazing job,” the new secretary told reporters upon his arrival. Secretary Hegseth said he would work to swiftly implement forthcoming executive orders from President Trump to bar transgender people from serving in the military; eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs; and reinstate service members who were discharged for refusing to get the COVID vaccine. “It’s an honor to salute smartly, as I did as a junior officer and now as the secretary of Defense, to ensure these orders are complied with rapidly and quickly,” he said. “We’re going to hold people accountable. I know the chairman agrees with that. The lawful orders of the president of the United States will be executed inside this Defense Department swiftly and without excuse.” The new Pentagon chief also spoke about President Trump’s directives to use the military to help secure the southern border, deport migrants and go after cartels. “He’s made it very clear there’s an emergency at the southern border,” Secretary Hegseth said. “The protection of the sovereign territory of the United States is the job of the Defense Department, and the cartels are foreign terrorist organizations.” “As a result, this Pentagon snapped to last week. We helped move forward troops, put in more barriers, and also to ensure mass deportations — support of mass deportations in support of the president’s objective. That is something the Defense Department absolutely will continue to do.” Secretary Hegseth also gave Gen. Charles “CQ” Brown, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, a vote of confidence, indicating he would not fire him. “Standing with him right now. Look forward to working with him,” the secretary said when asked whether he would dismiss the chairman as he previously indicated in November. Watch more at c-span.org #petehegseth #pentagon #dod #cspan - @cspanofficial