Fox Nation honored America’s “true patriots” Thursday night at the seventh annual Patriot Awards, held at the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts in New York.

First Lady Melania Trump was named ‘Patriot of the Year,’ and Erika Kirk received the inaugural ‘Charlie Kirk Legacy Award’ at the event, and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth surprised ‘Salute to Service’ honoree Maj. James Capers Jr.

Hegesth spoke about restoring the warrior ethos while explaining he represents the “strength” portion of peace through strength, letting it be known once again that the dark cloud of leftism is no longer casting shade on the U.S. military.

“As I’ve said, no more gender quotas, no more DEI, no more climate change. No more dudes in dresses. We’re done with that sh*t,” he told attendees.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth:

“As I’ve said, no more gender quotas, no more DEI, no more climate change.
No more dudes in dresses. WE’RE DONE WITH THAT SHIT!”

BOOM pic.twitter.com/9bWJ1I8Kmd

— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) November 7, 2025

In a later post on X, Hegseth announced another “lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization.”

“The vessel was trafficking narcotics in the Caribbean and was struck in international waters. No U.S. forces were harmed in the strike, and three male narco-terrorists — who were aboard the vessel — were killed,” he explained.

“To all narco-terrorists who threaten our homeland: if you want to stay alive, stop trafficking drugs. If you keep trafficking deadly drugs—we will kill you,” Hegesth warned.

As we’ve said before, vessel strikes on narco-terrorists will continue until their the poisoning of the American people stops.

Today, at the direction of President Trump, the Department of War carried out a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by a Designated Terrorist… pic.twitter.com/gQF9LpSjqD

— Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) November 7, 2025

Amid all the bravado, military recruitment is up across the board, with all branches hitting their recruiting goals for fiscal year 2025 — the Army met its goal four months early.

Here’s a quick sampling of responses to the story, as seen on X:

Finally someone willing to say it out loud. Our military needs to get back to its core mission – defending the nation.

This is the kind of leadership we’ve been waiting for.

For too long, Pentagon head has been political types only caring what their party wants.

— Conservative Waters (@ConservativeH2O) November 7, 2025

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth is restoring REAL standards in our military! No more quotas, no more DEI nonsense—just merit and mission. LFG!

— BIG ORANGE SOLDIER (@Big_Orange44) November 7, 2025

I love the emphasis on the “T” with that last word Go Petey, go!

— Mia Centore (@miacent) November 7, 2025

Hegseth speaks truth and restores discipline. America’s military will defend our nation with strength, honor, and common sense again.

— For God & Country (@RhombusReport) November 7, 2025

The military needs practical, clear, masculine leadership. I work with our military men in counseling and am absolutely convinced our guys are badass.

— Jason Pretzel (@JasonPretzel) November 7, 2025

pic.twitter.com/OmkdtOTvzF

— B.Y. (@BYLuvJedi) November 7, 2025

• About
• Latest Posts

Tom Tillison

Senior Staff Writer
Tom@bizpacreview.com

The longest-tenured writer at BizPac Review, Tom grew up in Maryland before moving to Central Florida as a young teen. It is in the Sunshine State that he honed both his passion for politics and his writing skills.

Latest posts by Tom Tillison (see all)

• Muslim scholar in Chicago: ‘Islam did not come to coexist’ - December 13, 2025
• New York man calls into CSPAN and rips Dem Rep a new one - December 12, 2025
• Insane ‘blue slip’ tradition nukes another highly qualified conservative US atty - December 12, 2025

Comment

We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.