Hegseth: Trump Will Decide the End of the Mission

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the military campaign’s direction and timeline ultimately rest with President Donald Trump.

Speaking about the ongoing operations, Hegseth said the United States is currently in a strong position and focused on giving the president “maximum options.”

“From the beginning we haven’t stated how long it will take,” Hegseth said, emphasizing that the administration believes the mission will not become an open-ended conflict.

“Our will is endless,” he said, adding that Trump will determine the final objectives and the timing of when those goals are achieved.

Hegseth stressed that the campaign has a clearly defined mission and that the administration is working to prevent “mission creep.”

“The president controls the throttle,” Hegseth said. “He’s the one deciding. He’s the one elected on behalf of the American people.”

Hegseth added that it is not his role to determine whether the operation is at its beginning, middle, or end, saying that decision ultimately belongs to the president.