Pete Hegseth: Trump defence pick surprises Washington, here's why
Hegseth doesn't have much political experience, having made an attempt to run for a Senate seat in the past that didn't succeed.
Phil McCausland and Madeline Halpert
BBC News, New York
For the last eight years, Pete Hegseth has been a fixture on a Fox News morning program, where he has been a staunch supporter of President-elect Donald Trump and has pushed for a conservative cultural transformation within the U.S. military. He may soon take his agenda to the forefront by leading efforts from a high position at the Pentagon.
On Wednesday, the Republican president-elect revealed that he has chosen Hegseth, a TV personality and veteran of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, as his pick for secretary of defense. This position is usually held by seasoned civil servants, skilled politicians, and top executives.
Though the 44-year-old lacks the typical background usually associated with such a significant cabinet role—making him the second-youngest to hold the position—he could potentially reshape the Department of Defense if he receives Senate approval.
Just last week, Hegseth mentioned on a podcast that the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the highest-ranking military official in the US, needs to be dismissed, along with any "general, admiral, or anyone else who was part of the DEI [diversity, equity, and inclusion] nonsense."
He also expressed that women should not hold combat positions, claiming that their involvement hasn't increased the military's "effectiveness" or "deadliness."
"Throughout history, individuals in those roles tend to be men who are more effective," he stated.
He has also suggested that the Defence Department should be renamed the War Department. Additionally, he is advocating for a 10-year prohibition on generals becoming defense contractors after their military service ends.
Hegseth's opinions have gained him a number of followers among conservatives, especially among supporters of the president-elect. However, there are doubts about his ability to lead an organization that is seen as one of the largest bureaucracies globally, operating with a budget of almost $900 billion (£708 billion).
Is He Experienced Enough?
Ex-Pentagon officials emphasized that this position is among the most important roles the president can fill. The person in this role plays a key part in shaping national security choices and manages the 2.9 million civilian and military personnel employed by the Defense Department globally.
Lincoln Bloomfield, who worked at the Pentagon during the administrations of Presidents George W. Bush and Ronald Reagan, shared with the BBC that he once believed the role was more challenging than being president.
"Hegseth is still quite young and in the prime of his life, full of energy," Bloomfield remarked, also highlighting that the TV host is highly educated and a veteran of combat.
"But the real question is how valuable is experience when it comes to solving problems? In this job, each day presents at least a dozen different challenges that need to be addressed."
It's uncertain how Hegseth will perform during his confirmation hearings in the Senate, where he will probably endure several hours of intense questioning.
Some officials expected a difficult journey in the Senate due to his limited resume, which lacks significant experience in national security or foreign policy matters.
Mara Karlin, who previously held a senior position at the Pentagon under the Biden administration, stated, "This role will require extensive time spent guiding the president on the appropriate situations and timing for using military force. It will include making decisions about allocating trillions of dollars from taxpayers, as well as ensuring the well-being of millions of military personnel, civilians, and their families."
An Unfamiliar Ally Of Trump
At first, some politicians in Washington DC seemed confused about Hegseth being chosen to manage such a complicated bureaucracy.
"I have to admit that I only found out who he was about 20 minutes ago," stated Representative Adam Smith, the leading Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, during a press conference on Wednesday. "It appears he has no experience related to Department of Defense policy at all."
Other legislators were more direct.
"Who?” Republican Senator Bill Cassidy responded to NBC News when questioned about the appointment. “I’m not familiar with Pete. I really don’t have any information about him."
Hegseth spent eight years as a co-host on the weekend edition of Fox & Friends and was said to be a candidate for a position in Trump’s first administration. However, various former military and Pentagon officials pointed out that Hegseth was relatively unfamiliar within the defense circles in Washington.
"Former secretaries have backgrounds in various fields, including politics, technical expertise, and even Congress. However, they typically possess a solid level of experience in defense, national security, and foreign affairs," Ms. Karlin commented.
The individual who graduated from Princeton and Harvard held the position of an infantry platoon leader in Guantanamo Bay and Iraq, earning the Bronze Star Medal for his service. He then went on to deploy to Afghanistan, where he worked as an instructor in counterinsurgency strategies in Kabul.
Numerous people highlighted Hegseth's military background as a factor that could be beneficial if he were approved.
"Pete has dedicated his whole life to serving the military and the nation. He is resilient, intelligent, and genuinely supports the America First philosophy. Trump's statement highlighted that with Pete in leadership, America's adversaries should be aware."
Some people, on the other hand, expressed concerns about Hegseth's strong relationship with the president-elect.
John Bolton, who was Trump’s national security advisor, stated in an interview with the BBC that the position of defense secretary should not be filled based on loyalty.
According to Bolton, the individual in this role must be ready to give truthful guidance, even if it goes against the grain.
"The real question is whether he will simply go along with Donald Trump or if he will act with professionalism and bravery, like he did when he served in the military," Bolton commented, expressing his increasing criticism of the president-elect.
Photo credit: Getty Images
Hegseth appeared on stage during the 2023 Fox Nation Patriot Awards.
An Unconventional Nominee
Hegseth doesn't have much political experience apart from his unsuccessful bid for the Republican Senate nomination in Minnesota in 2012. Since that time, he has focused mostly on conservative activism and commentary.
He has promoted the idea of privatizing the government agency that supports veterans, but his most significant political achievement in Washington came during Trump's first term. During that time, he successfully persuaded the president to grant pardons to several American service members who were facing allegations of war crimes.
Among the two Army officers who received pardons from Trump was one who faced allegations of having killed a suspected bombmaker in Afghanistan. The other officer had been found guilty of murder for ordering his men to shoot at three Afghan individuals.
Hegseth's selection to take charge of the Pentagon signifies a shift away from the approaches of both past Republican and Democratic administrations.
Leon Panetta, who held positions under President Barack Obama, was previously the director of the CIA and the Chief of Staff at the White House. Robert Gates, who was appointed by both President George W. Bush and Obama, has an extensive background at the CIA, having served there for 27 years.
In his initial term, Trump sought advice from individuals with greater expertise in military and national security than Hegseth. He turned to officials like Secretaries Jim Mattis and Mark Esper, both of whom had long careers in the military and were recognized figures in Washington's defense community.
President Joe Biden decided to appoint Lloyd Austin, a retired four-star general who previously commanded US Central Command. Austin has faced some criticism from lawmakers for failing to notify the White House about his medical procedures during his time in office.
Based on the experiences of previous secretaries, many people were quick to claim that Hegseth didn't have the qualifications he needed.
Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, who heads the Senate committee on military personnel, stated that a co-host from Fox & Friends weekend lacks the qualifications to serve as Secretary of Defense. She called on her fellow senators to reject his confirmation.
On the other hand, many people quickly came to Hegseth's support.
Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson praised the conservative figure as someone who has consistently fought for the rights and well-being of America’s troops and veterans.
"He offers a new viewpoint for a Pentagon that seems to have forgotten its purpose under Joe Biden. Pete is committed to prioritizing our military's effectiveness and preparedness over progressive ideologies," the speaker stated.
