Pete Hegseth was sworn-in to lead the Pentagon on Saturday and told U.S. soldiers he will always have their back.

He pledged to “put America First" and "never back down" as head of the Defense Department.

“All of this will be done with a focus on lethality, meritocracy, accountability, standards, and readiness,” he wrote in a statement after the swearing-in. “I have committed my life to warfighters and their families. Just as my fellow soldiers had my back on the battlefield, know that I will always have your back.”

Vice President J.D Vance presided over the swearing-in of Hegseth.

“We serve together at a dangerous time. Our enemies will neither rest nor relent. And neither will we,” Hegseth said. “We will stand shoulder to shoulder to meet the urgency of this moment.”