WASHINGTON, Nov 14, V7N- In a surprising move, President-elect Donald Trump announced Fox News host and National Guard veteran Pete Hegseth as his nominee for Defense Secretary, marking a sharp departure from traditional military leadership appointments.

Hegseth, 44, served for over 18 years in the National Guard, deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan and reaching the rank of major. Despite a decorated service record, he lacks the senior leadership and administrative experience typically expected for the role, which oversees the world’s most powerful military, a force of 2.9 million personnel with an annual budget in the hundreds of billions.

Trump, who has relied heavily on Fox News as a platform and source of allies, praised Hegseth as "tough, smart, and a true believer in America First." He added, "America’s enemies are on notice—Our Military will be Great Again." Trump also touted Hegseth’s work as an author, particularly his book The War on Warriors, as emblematic of his commitment to restoring "meritocracy and excellence" in the military.

The nomination has drawn skepticism from military analysts and lawmakers.

  • Mark Cancian, a retired Marine colonel and senior advisor at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, described the choice as "unexpected," noting Hegseth’s lack of high-level security experience and the challenges he may face in managing a vast institution like the Pentagon.
  • Critics also pointed to his polarizing views, including opposition to diversity initiatives like the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) program and his public stance against women in combat roles.

Hegseth’s controversial opinions could lead to a contentious Senate confirmation process. His outspoken opposition to "woke" policies and past remarks, such as advocating for the dismissal of top military officials involved in DEI programs, have already raised concerns about the potential politicization of the Department of Defense.

Cancian warned that firing senior officers like General CQ Brown, the current chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, could spark a "civil-military crisis."

Hegseth previously lobbied Trump in 2019 to intervene in three war crimes cases, resulting in pardons for two service members and the reinstatement of rank for a third. He has expressed pride in his role in those decisions, viewing them as aligned with his vision of justice for soldiers.

Hegseth holds degrees from Princeton and Harvard, though he has criticized his alma mater, returning his Harvard degree as a protest against what he perceives as its left-leaning stance.

Hegseth’s nomination signals a shift in Pentagon priorities under Trump, emphasizing loyalty and alignment with his "America First" agenda over traditional experience. Whether the Senate will confirm him remains to be seen, but the decision has already sparked significant debate about the future direction of the U.S. military.

END/WD/RH/