Hegseth invites governors to bid for ‘next great American base’

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth invited governors Wednesday to bid for the “next great American” base to be built inside the country.

“We’re calling on every governor in the country and adjutant general, every tag across this great republic, to step up to the plate and bring us their best sales pitch,” Hegseth said during his “ State of the Force ” speech at Quantico, Va.

“If your state wants the honor of hosting 15,000 to 25,000 of America’s great troops, show us why and how you’re going to do it, cutting through the red tape, offering up the land, and rolling out the red carpet for our military families,” the Defense secretary continued.

Naval Station Everett in Washington state has been the most recent addition to U.S. bases. It opened in the 1990s and is home to several guided-missile destroyers and Coast Guard ships.

Hegseth said the base will not be a “soulless government installation,” highlighting that the Pentagon will “plan out and chart out a dynamic, self-sustaining power projection platform.”

“We’re talking hundreds of thousands of acres with organic power generation, modern air defenses and cutting-edge technology — think a fortress,” he said.

Hegseth noted service members will have “first-class barracks, world-class training facilities, and thriving communities with top-tier housing, school, childcare and healthcare for families.”

The Pentagon chief said the selection process will be “transparent.”

“No backroom Washington deals, no political favoritism, just a straight-up merit-based contest to see which state will partner with us to build the most modern, beautiful and lethal military installation on the planet,” Hegseth said, adding that the governors will come to the Pentagon to pitch plans to himself; Steve Feinberg, the Pentagon’s deputy secretary; Gen. Dan Caine, chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; and “maybe” even President Trump.