1 of 12 | The graduating cadets toss their hats at the end of the West Point Class of 2026's commencement ceremony. Photo by Peter Foley/UPI | License Photo
May 23 (UPI) -- Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth delivered a graduation speech to graduating West Point cadets Saturday, and told them they are "ready" for war.
"West Point is set apart. It's special. It's above politics," Hegseth said at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y., Saturday. "Success here is based on merit. It's how you perform that matters."
He accused former "foolish and feckless leaders" of pushing identity politics on the academy.
"The battlefield does not grade on a curve, and you can't throw your pronouns at the enemy," The Hill reported Hegseth said. "Combat is the ultimate test, and our best Americans must ace it."
