Secretary of War Hegseth Rallies Shipyard Workers in Maine

Hegseth's 'Arsenal of Freedom' tour highlights need to revitalize U.S. manufacturing and defense industry

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Secretary of War Pete Hegseth visited Bath Iron Works in Maine on Monday as part of his 'Arsenal of Freedom' tour, delivering a high-energy speech to shipyard workers. Hegseth declared 'No more dudes in dresses!' to a cheering crowd, emphasizing the need to prioritize American manufacturing and the defense industrial base to ensure national security.

Why it matters

Hegseth's tour is part of a broader push by the administration to revitalize U.S. manufacturing and the defense industry, which are seen as critical to maintaining America's global military and economic dominance. The visit to Bath Iron Works, a major shipbuilder, highlights the importance of the defense industrial base to national security.

The details

During his visit, Hegseth toured the Bath Iron Works facility, met with shipbuilders and executives, and delivered a rousing speech to workers in the shipyard. In his remarks, he called for a renewed focus on American manufacturing and criticized what he sees as a weakening of traditional gender norms, declaring 'No more dudes in dresses!' to loud cheers from the crowd.

  • Secretary Hegseth visited Bath Iron Works on Monday, February 9, 2026.

The players

Pete Hegseth

The current Secretary of War in the Trump administration, known for his conservative political views and advocacy for a strong U.S. military.

Bath Iron Works

A major shipbuilding company located in Bath, Maine that is a key part of the U.S. defense industrial base.

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What they’re saying

“No more dudes in dresses!”

— Pete Hegseth, Secretary of War (The Gateway Pundit)

What’s next

Hegseth's 'Arsenal of Freedom' tour is expected to continue with additional stops at other defense industry facilities in the coming weeks, as the administration pushes its agenda to strengthen American manufacturing and the military-industrial complex.

The takeaway

Hegseth's visit to Bath Iron Works and his fiery rhetoric highlight the administration's focus on reasserting traditional gender norms and bolstering the U.S. defense industry, which it sees as critical to maintaining American global dominance. However, the divisive nature of Hegseth's comments may also further inflame political tensions around these issues.