At a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing before the Congressional recess, Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) asked President Trump’s nominees for the U.S. Military how the country can work to mitigate the impacts of administrative cuts to the U.S. Agency for International Development.
00:00Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Admiral Bradley, General Anderson, welcome, and congratulations on your nominations.
00:08I want to thank you for stepping forward to continue your long careers of service.
00:13I'd also like to extend my appreciation to your families who were with you every step of the way and will continue to serve alongside you.
00:22Admiral Bradley, you've been nominated to lead the United States Special Operations Command, or SOCOM,
00:28at a time of important transformation.
00:31Because of the efforts and sacrifices of the special operations community over the past two decades,
00:37the threat from ISIS, Al-Qaeda, and other violent extremist groups has been greatly diminished.
00:43Now, America's national security interests are challenged by the aggressive and often coordinated ambitions of China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea.
00:52Our special operations forces, or SOF, are not only needed to maintain pressure on violent extremist groups that threaten our homeland,
01:01they are also key to addressing the challenges posed by these adversarial nations.
01:06As the recently released SOF operating concept proposes, quote,
01:12joint SOF capabilities will help deter conflict by changing a competitor's political calculations,
01:19denying achievement, or imposing costs that outweigh potential benefits.
01:24This concept is ambitious and will require close partnership with the military services
01:29and other elements of the interagency, especially the intelligence community,
01:34and with our network of allies and partners around the world.
01:38Admiral Bradley, if confirmed, I expect your experience commanding special operators and SEALs around the world
01:44will serve you extremely well.
01:46Today, I would ask that you share how you would plan to lead the special operations community
01:51to adjust to the rapid pace of change on the battlefield
01:55and how lessons learned from Ukraine, Gaza, the Red Sea, Syria, and elsewhere
02:00can inform the tactics and modernization efforts of SOCOM.
02:05Additionally, I'm interested in how you would leverage unmanned systems,
02:09artificial intelligence, space, cyber information operations,
02:13and other capabilities in SOCOM missions.
02:16Finally, as a combatant command with service-like responsibility,
02:20SOCOM needs and deserves a senior civilian to provide service secretary-like oversight
02:25and advocacy for our special operations forces.
02:29Congress has sought to empower the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations
02:33and Low-Intensity Conflict to fulfill that mandate.
02:37Admiral Bradley is confirmed.
02:38I ask for your support as the Department continues to work to fully implement those reforms.
02:45General Anderson, you have been nominated to lead U.S. Africa Command, or AFRICOM,
02:50In Africa, our adversaries are focused on building trade relationships while seizing influence from us.
02:57China's military ambitions on the continent are no secret,
03:00from their growing presence in Djibouti to the more than 100 seaports that have been constructed,
03:06financed, or operated by Chinese-owned enterprises
03:10and could serve as dual use for future military contingencies.
03:15Russia has also expanded its military engagement in Africa
03:18and is investing heavily in disinformation campaigns across the continent
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