Poli Alert Politics & Civics
Related Articles
Jimmy Williams
President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of Fox News host Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense has already sparked debate, with the former Army National Guard infantry officer proposing significant policy shifts, including removing women from combat roles and dismissing “woke” military leaders. Hegseth, a long-time Trump ally known for his appearances on Fox & Friends, brings a set of views that may complicate his Senate confirmation.
The announcement comes as Trump moves swiftly to fill his Cabinet with loyalists, including Hegseth, Rep. Matt Gaetz as attorney general, and Sen. Marco Rubio as secretary of state. In his statement, Trump described Hegseth, 44, as “tough, smart, and a true believer in America First,” declaring, “With Pete at the helm, America’s enemies are on notice — Our Military will be Great Again.”
Hegseth has previously voiced strong opposition to policies promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the Department of Defense. “Any general, admiral, whatever, involved in any of the DEI, woke s–t has got to go,” Hegseth said on The Shawn Ryan Show podcast last week, also indicating that his first priority would be to dismiss Air Force Gen. CQ Brown Jr., the current chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
In the same interview, Hegseth argued against women serving in combat roles, saying, “I’m straight up just saying that we should not have women in combat roles. It hasn’t made us more effective, hasn’t made us more lethal, has made fighting more complicated.”
The Pentagon opened all combat roles to women in 2015 in a historic policy shift, with female service members comprising more than 17% of the active-duty force. The change has enabled women to excel in high-stakes military roles, from fighter pilots to top command positions, with numerous female officers proving their effectiveness in combat.
Hegseth’s views on the rules of engagement have also been met with concern. He has previously suggested reworking the rules of war to prioritize U.S. interests. After Iranian missiles targeted U.S. bases in Iraq following the Trump administration’s strike on Gen. Qassam Soleimani, Hegseth publicly advocated for targeting Iranian cultural sites, though international law prohibits such actions.
“I don’t care about Iranian cultural sites,” he said at the time, adding later that “the rules of war are for winners.” Hegseth’s stance could lead to questions during his confirmation about his approach to international law and the conduct of the U.S. military overseas.
Hegseth has also lobbied for pardons for service members accused of war crimes. In 2019, he pushed for clemency for three men, including Navy SEAL Edward Gallagher, who was acquitted of killing an ISIS fighter but convicted on related charges. Trump ultimately granted clemency, a decision that Hegseth strongly supported.
Despite his lack of prior government administration experience, Hegseth’s nomination has drawn praise from his Fox News colleagues, while others in the media remain skeptical. Gretchen Carlson, a former Fox & Friends host, criticized the pick on social media, remarking, “From silly diner interviews on Weekend Fox and Friends to Secretary of Defense? I never thought I’d say I’m stunned about any pick after the election, but nominating Pete Hegseth for this incredibly important role? Yes, he’s a veteran … and?”
If confirmed, Hegseth would oversee the Defense Department’s $850 billion budget and manage complex international relationships, including with military counterparts in NATO. Republican lawmakers, such as Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., have shown openness to Hegseth’s nomination, though they’ve expressed a desire to learn more about his qualifications and views.
Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., was less familiar with the nominee, commenting, “Who? I don’t know Pete. I just don’t know anything about him.”
Hegseth’s path to confirmation may be challenging due to his views on gender and diversity in the military, as well as his public support for pardoning military personnel accused of misconduct. Yet, his nomination underscores Trump’s intent to implement significant changes within the Pentagon, including revisiting the military’s approach to diversity and rules of engagement. The Senate’s slim Republican majority will be crucial in determining whether Hegseth becomes the next secretary of defense.
