Sec. Hegseth to TMZ Reporter: ‘That’s a Very TMZ Question’

EXCERPT:

REPORTER: "I’ve heard you talk a lot about bombing people and places. And when you give these orders to carry out this extreme level of violence, what’s going through your mind and your body? Do you have like that adrenaline rush? Are you scared? Do you feel like you’re on a power trip? Just walk us through and paint us a picture of what it feels like mentally and physically."

HEGSETH: "It's a very TMZ question. My only thought process is to ensure that our war fighters have everything they need to be successful to defeat and destroy the enemy and they come home. I want them to feel empowered, to have every authority they need, within our rules and within our law, to bring maximum violence to the enemy, because war is violent, war requires doing difficult things, but I want our people to feel empowered so it’s our guys that come home and their guys that do not, Sure, I'll give you one chance."