Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is testifying before Congress on Tuesday. We expected things might get a little heated with Democrats up in arms about the military being sent in to help address the riots in Los Angeles. And there certainly has been plenty of heat. 

But there was also some occasional humor during Hegseth's testimony before the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee. Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart (R-FL) was questioning Hegseth about recruitment. 

Hegseth began by addressing the change in attitudes among young people about serving in the military, touting the remarkable "tsunami of support" from them.

. @SecDef "At first I called it the Trump bump. It became a clear that it was not enough.

This is a tsunami of support amongst young Americans who want to serve under a president who has THEIR BACKS." pic.twitter.com/mkMbV4MocL

— DOD Rapid Response (@DODResponse) June 10, 2025

HEGSETH: What changed is a commander-in-chief that America's young people believe in. President Trump was elected in November, inaugurated in January, and at first, I called it the 'Trump bump.' But then it became clear that's not enough. 

This is a tsunami of support amongst young Americans who want to serve under a president who they know has their back, who will fund them properly, who will not use them unnecessarily, and will make sure they are part of deterrence for the country with a focus, first and foremost, on the homeland, then deterring strength and making sure our allies step up and carry more of the burden. 

So, you've got a historic surge in the Army, the Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, you name it — Americans are responding because...the president says 'a new spirit.' And he's right, and you can feel it in the ranks — you go out to formations, you talk to men and women on the border, they believe in what they're doing in securing that Southern Border. You talk to them across the world, they are enthused about this new administration and its leadership.

So, it's President Trump.

RELATED: Watch: Pete Hegseth Eviscerates Democrat Congresswoman During Contentious Hearing

Following that, Díaz-Balart feigned surprise that America's youth isn't recoiling from the unwokification of the U.S. military. And Hegseth had the perfect comeback.

Republican Mario Díaz-Balart: Are you telling me that the men and women of the military are not upset that they can't use different pronouns?@SecDef Pete Hegseth: If they wanted to get a woke indoctrination, they could just go to college.

🔥 pic.twitter.com/urvfLdlbgO

— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) June 10, 2025

DIAZ-BALART: Mr. Secretary, I'm a little confused. Are you telling me that folks that are now voting with their commitment to the country are not upset that they're not able to use different pronouns?

HEGSETH: (chuckles)

DIAZ-BALART: That's not — is that not a priority for the folks that are now signing up for our military?

HEGSETH: Well, sir, if they wanted to get a woke indoctrination, they could just go to college. Instead, they're joining the military, where we're focused on the basics. We know men are men, women are women, standards will be high, and we're getting rid of the distractions, the ideologies, the politicization that was in our ranks, so that soldiers — men and women — can do their jobs on behalf of the nation.

A new spirit, indeed. 

Editor's Note: Thanks to President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's leadership, the warrior ethos is coming back to America's military.

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