Hegseth’s Pentagon Axed a Program Meant to Save Civilian Lives
3/13/202650 min
The US and Israel have continued a large-scale bombing campaign in Iran, killing over 1,300 civilians. On this week’s On the Media, the far-reaching implications of the Department of Defense’s scrapping of an initiative to protect civilians. Plus, how different corners of the MAGA-verse are metabolizing the Epstein files.
[01:00] Host Brooke Gladstone interviews Wes J. Bryant, a former senior policy advisor at the Pentagon and retired Air Force Master Sergeant, about the civilian protection initiative he was working on for the Department of Defense and the deadly consequences of Secretary Hegseth’s decisions to close it down.
[31:28] Host Micah Loewinger sits down with David Gilbert, a reporter at WIRED covering disinformation and online extremism, to explore how different segments of the right are reacting to the Epstein files, from far-right commentators like Nick Fuentes to Fox News to Qanon conspiracists.
Further reading / watching:
- “The U.S. Built a Blueprint to Avoid Civilian War Casualties. Trump Officials Scrapped It,” by Hannah Allam
- “MAGA Is Raging Over the Epstein Files. But They’re Not Mad at Donald Trump,” by David Gilbert
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Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsBrooke Gladstone· Host0:00
[upbeat music] According to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, in Iran, the US military Is unleashing the most lethal and precise air power campaign in history.
Pete Hegseth· Soundbite0:11
No stupid rules of engagement.
Brooke Gladstone· Host0:12
What happens when our president and his warrior in chief throw out the moral codes the military has spent decades trying to strengthen? From WNYC in New York, this is On The Media. I'm Brooke Gladstone. Upon taking office, Hegseth immediately scuttled a DOD initiative to save civilian lives with tragic results.
Wes J. Bryant· Guest0:36
Nearly 200 young schoolchildren and their teachers have been killed. There's more coming out, and there will continue to be more.
Brooke Gladstone· Host0:42
Plus, how the Epstein files are playing in MAGA land.
David Gilbert· Guest0:46
Trump promised to end forever wars, and he promised to release the Epstein files. They're two of the biggest things that the MAGA faithful are angry about, and they are angry.
Brooke Gladstone· Host0:56
It's all coming up after this.
Micah Loewinger· Host1:00
On The Media is supported by Progressive Insurance. You chose to hit play on this podcast today. Smart choice. Make another smart choice with Auto Quote Explorer to compare rates from multiple car insurance companies all at once. Try it at progressive.com. Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates, not available in all states or situations. Prices vary based on how you buy.
Brooke Gladstone· Host1:25
From WNYC in New York, this is On The Media. I'm Brooke Gladstone.