Trump nominates Fox News host Pete Hegseth to head Department of Defense in snub to former Dem Rep...

On Tuesday, President-elect Donald Trump announced that he has chosen Fox News personality and highly respected Army veteran Pete Hegseth to be his Secretary of Defense.

The 44-year-old served in Iraq and Afghanistan, earning two Bronze Stars for his efforts. He attempted to run for the Senate in Minnesota in 2012 but was not successful, after which he joined Fox News.

In a statement, Trump remarked, "Pete is resilient, intelligent, and genuinely committed to putting America first," as he dedicated a significant part of Tuesday to expanding his cabinet.

The announcement follows shortly after former Democratic Congresswoman and Trump supporter Tulsi Gabbard expressed her interest in the position.

"Under Pete's leadership, our adversaries should be aware that our military is poised for greatness once more, and America will stand firm and unwavering," Trump stated.

On Tuesday, President-elect Donald Trump announced that he would be putting forward the name of Pete Hegseth, a host on Fox News and an Army veteran, for the position of defense secretary.

"Trump stated, 'Pete is resilient, intelligent, and genuinely supports the America First ideology.'"

No one advocates more passionately for our service members than Pete, who will serve as a brave and devoted supporter of our 'Peace through Strength' approach.

A representative from Fox News Media shared with DailyMail.com, "For almost ten years, Pete Hegseth has been an outstanding host on FOX & Friends and FOX Nation, as well as a bestselling author for FOX News Books."

His thoughts and evaluations, particularly regarding the military, really struck a chord with our audience, contributing significantly to the show's success. We take great pride in his contributions at FOX News Media and wish him all the best in Washington.

Trump is announcing a consistent flow of appointees and nominees for his upcoming administration. So far, he's doing this more quickly and with less drama than during his first transition after winning the 2016 election.

Hegseth, 44, co-hosts 'Fox & Friends Weekend' on Fox News Channel and has been associated with the network since 2014. During his time there, he became friends with Trump, who frequently visited the program.

He is the writer of 'The War on Warriors: The Truth Behind Betraying Those Who Protect Our Freedom.'

The book, as described in its promotional materials, intertwines the author's personal experiences from war with stories of injustice and offers a sharp analysis of the issues within the military hierarchy. It presents itself as essential for helping our soldiers and securing victories in upcoming conflicts.

Although the Pentagon is seen as a highly desirable position in any administration, the role of defense secretary was quite unstable during Trump's first term.

The 44-year-old served in Iraq and Afghanistan, earning two Bronze Stars for his efforts. He attempted to run for a Senate seat in Minnesota in 2012, but was not successful. After that, he became a part of Fox News.

The appointment follows statements made by former Democratic Congresswoman and Trump supporter Tulsi Gabbard, who expressed her interest in the position.

Hegseth has been one of the main presenters on Fox & Friends Weekend.

Over the course of his four years, five different men took on the role, but they either quit, were let go, or only filled in for a short time. Only two of them were officially approved by the Senate.

During those years, Trump's interactions with his civilian and military leaders were marked by stress, uncertainty, and irritation. They found it challenging to respond to or even understand his unexpected tweets and announcements, which often introduced sudden policy changes that caught them off guard and left them unprepared to explain or justify their implications.

Numerous generals from his initial administration, whether currently serving or retired, have criticized him as unsuitable for the presidency. In response, he has also denounced them.

Hegseth held the rank of captain in the Army National Guard and was deployed to various locations, including Afghanistan, Iraq, and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

He previously served as the leader of Concerned Veterans for America, an organization supported by wealthy conservatives Charles and David Koch.

If approved by the Senate, he would take on the leadership role amid a range of international challenges. These include Russia's conflict in Ukraine, continuing assaults in the Middle East by Iranian-backed groups, efforts to negotiate a cease-fire involving Israel, Hamas, and Hezbollah, as well as increasing concerns about the strengthening ties between Russia and North Korea.

During a recent appearance on Fox News, he stated that he believes Joe Biden's administration, under the leadership of Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, is influenced by 'pro-Palestinian millennials.'

"Israel is getting ready to unleash severe consequences on Hamas. It’s preparing for a serious military action. Many casualties can be expected, as Netanyahu is determined to take decisive action," he stated.

During a recent appearance on Fox News, he expressed his belief that Joe Biden's administration, led by Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, was influenced by "pro-Palestinian millennials."

During that time, Trump’s interactions with his civilian and military advisors were marked by stress, uncertainty, and frustration. The leaders often found it challenging to manage or even fully understand the sudden policy decisions announced through the president’s tweets, which left them unprepared to clarify or justify these unexpected changes.

Mark Cancian, a senior advisor at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, noted that while Hegseth has a strong foundation as a junior officer, he lacks the extensive national security experience required for secretarial roles.

"I believe Trump grew weary of conflicts with his defense secretaries and chose someone who would be loyal to him," Cancian stated. He also mentioned that Hegseth's lack of experience might complicate his chances of passing Senate confirmation.

According to the New York Post, Gabbard, a Congresswoman from Hawaii who switched from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party after supporting Trump, was interested in the position.

In a report released today, it was thought that Gabbard's main rival for the position was Robert Wilkie, the former Secretary of Veterans Affairs, implying that Trump might have introduced an unexpected factor into the mix.

The announcement regarding Hegseth was a part of Trump's efforts to expand his national security team on Tuesday.

In a series of updates, Trump revealed that he has appointed former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee as the ambassador to Israel, while naming his close associate Steven Witkoff as a special envoy for the Middle East.

Trump announced that he plans to appoint South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem as the head of the Department of Homeland Security. He also selected Bill McGinley, who served as his Cabinet secretary during his first term, to be his White House counsel.