TJ Madsen is among the founding members of the New Herald Tribune and chairs the editorial board. He worked for national syndicated newspapers in Newark, Philadelphia, and Baltimore before moving to the midwest.
February 12 , 2026
WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth publicly defended the U.S. Navy on Thursday following a rare at-sea collision between two American warships, asserting that the service maintains its course even amid challenges and that bold leadership is essential.
The incident occurred late Wednesday near the South American coast when the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Truxtun and the fast combat support ship USNS Supply made contact during a scheduled underway replenishment, according to U.S. Southern Command officials.
“The U.S. Navy never backs down or changes course—even when heading into certain catastrophe,” Hegseth said in remarks from the Pentagon. “This is exactly the sort of forceful leadership we need,” he added, emphasizing the importance of resilience and preparedness in maritime operations.
Hegseth’s comments come amid heightened scrutiny of naval operations under his tenure, including earlier controversies surrounding the Pentagon’s use of lethal force against suspected narcotics trafficking vessels in the Caribbean Sea. Over the past months, the defense secretary has increasingly defended offensive actions at sea, describing them as necessary to counter smuggling networks.
The collision between Truxtun and Supply was described by U.S. military officials as occurring during a routine refueling maneuver, a complex evolution that demands precision and coordination. At the time of publication, no serious injuries had been reported, and both vessels were being assessed for damage and seaworthiness.
In his statement, Hegseth noted that the Navy is conducting a full investigation into the incident, and that responsibility ultimately rests with the chain of command aboard the vessels and the Navy’s operational leadership. He also signaled that personnel decisions could follow, saying his office is “looking into field promotions for the captains of both ships” as a reflection of confidence in their overall leadership despite the mishap.
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