In a strategic move to fortify America’s naval dominance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth inaugurated the Arsenal of Freedom tour on January 6 in Washington. This initiative promises sweeping changes in shipbuilding, defense acquisitions, and bolstering military capabilities under the Trump administration.
Speaking at Virginia’s Newport News Shipyard, Hegseth committed to massive investments in the maritime industrial base for rapid advancement. Shipyard employees and troops embody national security’s heart, he emphasized: ‘We’re in the business of strength.’
The nationwide tour will spotlight factories and shipyards, demonstrating Trump’s vision for revitalized US manufacturing and defense preparedness. Core tenets include prioritizing America and its people, achieving peace via power, and dismissing claims of American frailty.
Hegseth warned that countries ceasing production lag and weaken. Trump rejects such decline, sparking America’s path to renewed strength and wealth. Enlistments in the War Department are booming, outpacing last year’s record with even greater momentum this year.
Rebuilding the military tops the agenda, focusing on discipline, training, standards, and deadliness with a warrior ethos. A record-breaking trillion-dollar-plus defense budget supports modern tech and superior leadership.
Equally vital is forging deterrence formidable enough to deter foes from provocation. Hegseth slammed prior policies for eroding confidence in US resolve, citing actions against Houthis, Iran, and cartels. The flawless mission arresting Maduro in Venezuela exemplifies this shift—no American lives lost.
Golden Fleet plans feature next-gen Trump-class battleships and ramped-up submarine output, proclaiming unyielding US naval supremacy. Contracting overhauls penalize delays and cost overruns, rewarding only efficient performers.
To shipyard staff: ‘Warfighters depend on you—we fight together.’ As Huntington Ingalls’ facility, Newport News uniquely crafts nuclear carriers and shares submarine production for the Navy.