What a difference it makes to have President Donald Trump overseeing the 250th birthday of the U.S. Army “than autopen Biden,” said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

“We wouldn’t have had a parade” under former President Joe Biden, Hegseth told Newsmax’s Carl Higbie on Saturday from the nation’s capital.

“You might even have some self-loathing. Instead, you have a full-on recognition of what it takes to defend and preserve freedom. [That’s what] will be on display today. … I hope folks will watch tonight. It will make you proud. I went to parades as a kid. They affected how I viewed our country, and I think this will have the same opportunity,” he added.

Read more at Newsmax© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.