President-elect Trump has surprised many by naming Fox News host Pete Hegseth as his intended nominee for secretary of Defense. This unexpected selection has raised concerns, as many anticipated that someone with more extensive experience would be chosen to head the Pentagon.
Hegseth, a vocal critic of “wokeness” in the armed forces, has called for banning women from combat roles and has expressed support for removing Joint Chiefs Chair Gen. CQ Brown. If the Senate confirms him, Hegseth would succeed Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who is set to depart with President Biden in January.
Trump with Biden and Secretary Lloyd Austin
Hegseth’s military background and advocacy for veterans stand out as defining aspects of his profile. He served as an Army National Guard infantry officer from 2002 to 2021, with tours in Guantánamo Bay, Iraq, and Afghanistan. His service earned him accolades such as two Bronze Stars, the National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Service Star, and expert infantryman badges.
Additionally, Hegseth led the nonprofit Vets for Freedom and served as CEO of Concerned Veterans for America, a conservative organization promoting privatized veterans’ care. Though Hegseth lacks prior government service, he did run unsuccessfully for a Minnesota Senate seat in 2012 and was once considered for the Veterans Affairs role under Trump’s administration.
Since 2014, Hegseth has become a regular presence on Fox News, often co-hosting the “Fox & Friends” weekend show. He has discussed military-related issues with Trump and has opposed diversity initiatives in the armed forces.
Hegseth has also hosted Fox’s “Patriot Awards” and New Year’s Eve coverage and authored several books for the network’s publishing imprint. In one live broadcast, he accidentally struck a West Point drummer with an ax during a stunt, which led to a lawsuit that was settled out of court.
On a recent podcast, Hegseth advocated for barring women from combat, arguing it complicates military operations without enhancing effectiveness. He remarked that the integration of men and women in combat scenarios has historically proven complex and believes this complexity raises risks for casualties.
The Obama administration’s decision to lift the ban on women in combat enabled their inclusion in roles like Army Rangers and Navy SEALs. Hegseth has also expressed interest in dismissing Gen. CQ Brown and other leaders he perceives as overly supportive of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies.
“Firing the chairman of the Joint Chiefs should be a priority,” Hegseth asserted, aiming to focus military leadership on combat readiness alone. Although Trump has not explicitly stated plans to replace Brown, concerns about potential firings have surfaced at the Pentagon, especially as Trump’s team reportedly drafts an executive order to expedite such actions.
In 2019, Hegseth played a role in Trump’s decision to pardon several service members accused of war crimes, advocating for their release on his show and interviewing their family members. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) denounced these pardons, arguing that they undermined the military justice system and disregarded the rule of law.
