Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has blamed the Biden administration for flooding at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, calling the situation “unacceptable” and pledging immediate action.
“My staff is prioritizing fixing this,” Hegseth announced Friday, following viral posts on X that drew widespread condemnation. The newly-appointed defense secretary emphasized his commitment to military health care, stating, “under this president, our troops will only receive the best care.”
Viral Video Sparks Outrage
On Thursday evening, conservative commentator and talk radio host Buck Sexton posted a one-minute, 17-second video on X, purportedly showing significant water damage inside the supposedly renowned medical facility.
“This flooding is inside Walter Reed National Military Medical Center,” Sexton wrote. “A source tells me that after years of neglect, a critical steam system failure has crippled all non-emergency operations. Critical situation at military medicine’s flagship institution.”
This flooding is inside Walter Reed National Military Medical center- source tells me following years of neglect, a critical steam system failure has crippled all non-emergency operations. Critical situation at military medicine’s flagship institution. pic.twitter.com/rnmNDITHc0
— Buck Sexton (@BuckSexton) January 31, 2025
Hegseth Responds
By Friday afternoon, Hegseth’s official X account responded to the claims, confirming the severity of the issue. “We looked into this—it’s real and unacceptable,” he posted.
We looked into this – it's real and unacceptable.
— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) January 31, 2025
This is a result of deferred maintenance under the last administration. My staff is prioritizing fixing this, and under this President our troops will only receive the best care. https://t.co/evnYMarGRz
Deferred Maintenance a Growing Concern
Observers have pointed to deferred maintenance as a key factor in the crisis, underscoring ongoing concerns over infrastructure upkeep at military facilities. While some officials argue that these issues stem from underfunding over many years, others contend that the Biden administration specifically failed to address longstanding maintenance backlogs in critical military installations.
Regardless, deferred maintenance has plagued U.S. military facilities for years, with reports indicating that funding shortfalls have led to worsening conditions across multiple bases and medical centers.
Questions remain about how quickly repairs will be completed and what steps the Trump administration will take to prevent similar failures in the future.
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George Allen 520-248-0596
No surprise here Biden most likely stole the money because he could not afford all the Depends he was using. The POS of course would do anything he could to hurt the men and women that protect this Country.
Why do we have VA Hospitals? I think the best medical care for veterans is to give them a military ID card and let them go to the hospital of their choice. Is anything done at Walter Reed that can’t be done at any major hospital in the US. Trauma centers are in civilian hospitals as well as rehabilitation facilities. The veterans could then be treated closer to home and families. I’ve been through our local VA when my grandfather was there and I think he would have done better at a civilian hospital or, in his case, a nursing facility which could care for stroke victims. Just a thought.
Biden needed beach money. When will he stop taking our money, wasn’t the 27 million the DNC gave him enough?
The FBI wanted a brand new facility…..seems like maybe it is time to build the Vets a new Medical Facility instead.
Wow how horrible. My husband spent 30 yrs in the Navy attached to the Marines as a corpsman . Viet Nam era,
When I see gross negligence on a building; I know exactly how they treated the troops that are forced to use that facility.
But we have plenty of resources for illegal immigrants and career welfare recipients. And our politicians have amazing facilities at their disposal. Priorities…
Outsource some VA services
Even Medical if warranted
Remodel Hospital complex
TRUST GOD FOR TRUTH AND MERCY AND HELP FOR OUR BROTHERS IN THE MILITARY. AS A VETERAN WE TRUST OUR HEALTH CARE IN OUR GOVERNMENT AND SOMETIMES WE ARE LET DOWN. PRAY FOR EVERYONE INVOLVED INCLUDING THOSE WHO VIOLATED THEIR OATH TOOHEAL FAITHFULLY IN EVERYTHING THEY DO. GOD BLESS THEIR EFFORTD
MICHAEL J DONNELLT=Y. ISARMY SFC RETIRED
This is crazy as to the health issues that arise from all the water damage.
The first thing that comes tomorrow and is mold, in the walls, floors, ceilings, etc. I’m in insurance. The morning ld remediation for this level of damage would mean stripping down to stud walls, pulling up floor tiles, carpet, etc.
throwing out mattresses, pillows, etc sanitizing everything
Stripped bare. Then special paints, venting etc
It would be cheaper to do a year down
Mold is so toxic that the heath risks can cause immediate death in some cases. You can’t expose people to toxic mold
Not just Walter Reed. VA homes have had their rebuilding put on hold because the computer control panel is no longer made in the US. Biden refused to make an exception for materials no longer made in the US. Every piece of the new building had to be made in the US. Because a previous administration set up a lot of components to made offshore, we are unable to have elevators in multi-story buildings.
The military has been adversely affected by not allowing maintenance and new buildings used in their care and living facilities.