Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is facing backlash after unveiling a new slogan for the Trump administration’s campaign against drug cartels. His remarks, delivered during an international security conference, quickly sparked criticism online. Detractors questioned both his rhetoric and the broader strategy behind the administration’s anti-cartel efforts.
Pete Hegseth faces fierce backlash as critics dissect his cartel-war comments
According to RadarOnline, Hegseth introduced the phrase, “We do bad things to bad people,” during a recent speech. He made the remarks while addressing the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition (ACCC) Conference in Panama.
Expanding on the message, Hegseth outlined plans to strengthen cooperation with regional partners. He stated the administration intends to use these partnerships to combat drug cartels and designated terrorist organizations.
“For too long, bad people did bad things to good people inside the United States of America and across Central and South America,” Hegseth said. “We are going to empower great Americans and great partners to do really good stuff and to be very capable about bringing violence against drug cartels and designated terrorist organizations because we’re dead serious about securing the homeland.”
His remarks quickly circulated online as critics mocked both the slogan and his delivery. According to reports, some social media users called him a “jerk.” Others claimed he appeared overly enthusiastic when discussing military force. One commenter wrote, “How can his wife stand the sight of him?” Another alleged he seemed like someone who “thinks he’s in a war movie.”
Other critics challenged the administration’s broader military approach toward suspected cartel members, arguing it raises concerns about due process. Some critics also referenced previous U.S. military actions to support their arguments. However, those claims remain separate from Hegseth’s comments at the conference.
The Trump administration established the ACCC in March 2026 to coordinate efforts against transnational drug cartels. The coalition focuses on border security, countering narco-terrorism and trafficking, and protecting critical infrastructure across the Western Hemisphere.
The administration has framed the coalition as a way to strengthen regional cooperation against cartels and designated terrorist organizations. Critics, however, have questioned whether expanding military operations against suspected cartel members could bypass traditional legal protections.
The Trump administration significantly expanded its anti-cartel strategy after designating several drug cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations. The report also noted that Democratic lawmakers have previously raised concerns about the military’s role in targeting suspected criminals without trial.
The Defense Department has not responded publicly to the online criticism surrounding Hegseth’s latest remarks.
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