U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has selected Pete Hegseth, a Fox News commentator and military veteran, to serve as his secretary of defense. Hegseth has been vocal in his criticism of what he terms “woke” policies implemented by Pentagon leadership, has opposed the inclusion of women in combat roles, and has raised questions about the qualifications of the top American general, suggesting that race may have influenced his appointment.

If the U.S. Senate confirms Hegseth, he may fulfill Trump’s campaign commitment to eliminate military leaders whom he believes are advancing progressive diversity initiatives that have drawn criticism from conservative circles.

This appointment could lead to tensions between Hegseth and Air Force General C.Q. Brown, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who has a background as a fighter pilot and extensive command experience in both the Pacific and Middle East. Hegseth has previously accused Brown of aligning with the extreme views of leftist politicians.

Despite having limited management experience, Hegseth will oversee approximately 1.3 million active-duty personnel and nearly 1 million civilian employees within the military.

The 44-year-old NATO skeptic stands out as one of Trump’s most unexpected selections for his cabinet as the January 20 inauguration approaches, prompting immediate backlash from some of Trump’s critics. Representative Adam Smith, the leading Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, expressed his concerns on X, stating, “The job of Secretary of Defense should not be an entry-level position.”

His appointment also raised eyebrows within the Pentagon, where officials privately questioned his qualifications for the role. A senior Defense Department official, who requested anonymity, remarked that Hegseth lacks the credentials for even a lower-ranking position.

In announcing his choice on Tuesday, Trump lauded Hegseth, an Army National Guard veteran who claims to have served in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. “Pete is tough, smart, and a true believer in America First,” Trump stated. “With Pete leading, America’s adversaries should be warned—our military will be great again, and America will never back down.”

Although Hegseth has previously articulated limited policy positions, he has criticized NATO allies for their perceived weakness and asserted that China is poised to dominate its neighbors. He has stated that he left the military in 2021 after feeling marginalized due to his political and religious beliefs, claiming, “The feeling was mutual—I didn’t want this Army anymore either,” as noted in his book “The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free.”

Concerns are already surfacing within the Pentagon regarding Trump’s intention to purge military officers and career civil servants he views as disloyal, with cultural issues potentially serving as a catalyst for dismissals. In June, Trump indicated to Fox News that he would dismiss generals he labeled as “woke,” a term used by conservatives to criticize those focused on racial and social justice. Hegseth may support such dismissals.

The next president of the United States must implement a significant restructuring of the senior leadership at the Pentagon to ensure our readiness to protect the nation and confront our adversaries. Many individuals need to be dismissed, he stated in his book.

Hegseth specifically criticized Joint Chiefs Chairman Brown, questioning whether his appointment was influenced by his race. “Was it due to his ethnicity or his abilities? We may never know, but it raises doubts, which seems inherently unfair to CQ. However, given that he has prominently utilized the race issue, it ultimately becomes less significant,” he noted.

Former U.S. generals and defense secretaries who served under Trump have emerged as some of his most vocal critics, with several labeling him as unfit for the presidency. Trump has even suggested that his former Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman, Mark Milley, could face execution for treason.

Hegseth has also criticized Milley for not faithfully implementing Trump’s policies during his tenure, accusing him of being “a partisan to the end” in support of Democrats.

Earlier this month, Hegseth expressed his opposition to women serving in combat roles. “I firmly believe we should not have women in combat positions,” he stated during a podcast.

In 2013, the Pentagon lifted a longstanding prohibition on women serving in direct combat roles. By 2017, a female U.S. Marine became the first woman to successfully complete the Corps’ notoriously challenging infantry officer course, surpassing numerous male candidates who did not pass the selection process.

SELF-RIGHTEOUS AND POWERLESS ALLIES

Hegseth has expressed strong criticism towards the European allies of the United States, and his appointment may heighten concerns within NATO regarding the implications of a Trump administration for the alliance.

“Outdated, outgunned, invaded, and powerless. Why should America, the European ’emergency contact number’ for the past century, heed the demands of self-righteous and powerless nations that expect us to uphold outdated and unbalanced defense agreements they no longer adhere to?” Hegseth stated in his book.

“Perhaps if NATO countries actually invested in their own defense — but they don’t. They merely complain about the rules while undermining their militaries and demanding assistance from America.”

In various podcast and television appearances, he has asserted that China is developing a military “specifically aimed at defeating the United States of America.”

“They possess a comprehensive, long-term strategy for not just regional but global dominance, while we seem oblivious to the reality,” Hegseth remarked on a podcast last week.

During the same discussion, Hegseth characterized Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine as “Putin’s demand for his territory back.”
Trump has criticized President Joe Biden’s support for Ukraine, raising fears about the future of aid for President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s administration under a Republican-led White House, Senate, and potentially House of Representatives.

“If Ukraine can defend itself … excellent, but I am not in favor of American intervention pushing deep into Europe and making (Putin) feel cornered,” Hegseth commented.