U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth made an impactful visit to the Lockheed Martin F-35 production facility in Fort Worth, Texas, as part of his tour aimed at revitalizing the nation’s defense capabilities. This visit comes amidst a broader initiative by the Trump administration to enhance defense spending and encourage defense contractors to increase their production capabilities.
During his visit, which took place on a Monday afternoon, Hegseth addressed Lockheed Martin employees as part of his ‘Arsenal of Freedom’ tour, which aligns with President Trump’s “Peace Through Strength” strategy. His schedule included a subsequent trip to Brownsville, where he planned to visit SpaceX and deliver a speech.
Hegseth underscored the importance of rebuilding the U.S. military during his address to employees. “We’re rebuilding our military. That’s why we’re here doing the Arsenal of Freedom tour,” he stated, emphasizing the need for rapid and scalable production from both large and small defense contractors across the country.
Accompanying Hegseth during the visit was U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX). After their time in Fort Worth, the two headed to Brownsville for a tour of SpaceX facilities and a meeting with Elon Musk.
The Secretary highlighted the challenges posed by Pentagon bureaucracy, which he claimed has historically impeded the efficiency of the U.S. manufacturing base and stifled innovation from companies such as Lockheed Martin and SpaceX. The Department of Defense reiterated this sentiment in a press release, stating, “Under the leadership of President Trump and Secretary Hegseth, we are unleashing the full power of our Defense Industrial Base to advance our Peace Through Strength agenda.”
This visit is part of a series of engagements Hegseth has undertaken, previously visiting a Rocket Lab manufacturing plant in Long Beach, California, as he seeks to bolster U.S. defense capabilities through increased collaboration with the defense industry.
