President-elect Donald Trump has selected Pete Hegseth, a Fox News host and Army veteran, as his nominee for Secretary of Defense, a decision that has surprised many in Washington and among Trump’s own advisors.
Hegseth, who was not widely seen as a frontrunner, was reportedly chosen due to Trump’s longstanding admiration for him. Trump was said to have been impressed by Hegseth’s military service and the account of it in his book, as well as his presence on television, which he finds “strong and smart,” according to sources close to Trump’s team.
Hegseth, a former combat veteran who served in Afghanistan and Iraq, has had close ties with Trump, occasionally offering informal advice throughout Trump’s previous term. He was considered for the Department of Veterans Affairs during Trump’s first administration but was not nominated, in part due to concerns over his confirmation prospects.
Several individuals familiar with Trump’s decision-making process noted that Hegseth’s name only entered serious consideration recently, with a formal interview held within the past 24 hours. Unlike Trump’s previous defense secretary appointments of seasoned Pentagon officials, this selection marks a notable shift as Hegseth, while respected in veteran circles, does not have the typical profile of a defense secretary. Trump’s earlier picks, James Mattis and Mark Esper, were four-star generals and established Pentagon officials, respectively, but their relationships with Trump soured before their departures.
The choice of Hegseth may face hurdles in the Senate, where even some Republican senators have expressed the need for a closer review. Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska said, “Wow,” when informed, while Senator Todd Young of Indiana expressed his intention to review Hegseth’s background and vision. North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis remarked, “Interesting,” showing cautious intrigue.
Trump praised Hegseth’s dedication to veterans and his strong “America First” stance, saying, “Pete is a true patriot who has dedicated his life to serving America and fighting for our values. With him at the helm, our military will regain its strength, and our enemies will know that America will stand firm.”
Hegseth, a vocal advocate for veterans and conservative causes, has been a consistent critic of efforts to integrate women into combat roles. In a recent podcast appearance promoting his latest book, “The War on Warriors,” Hegseth argued that incorporating women into such physically demanding roles has not improved military effectiveness. He cited specific concerns regarding women in roles requiring high physical strength, such as in special operations units.
Additionally, Hegseth has taken a stance against the military’s diversity and inclusion programs, expressing that “woke ideology” has no place in the armed forces. “Military training should focus on combat readiness alone,” he said in an interview.
A Princeton and Harvard graduate, Hegseth has built a prominent public profile as co-host of “Fox & Friends Weekend” since 2017. His work with the network, according to Fox News, “resonated deeply with viewers, especially on issues affecting our military and veterans.” Fox News confirmed that Hegseth’s contract ended on Tuesday following the news of his nomination.
Hegseth has previously recounted an incident where he was removed from a National Guard inauguration assignment for what he described as “a religious tattoo” misunderstood as a nationalist symbol. The tattoo, a Jerusalem cross, reportedly led to a security vetting decision that barred him from the detail for Biden’s inauguration.
Throughout his time at Fox News, Hegseth had private conversations with Trump, encouraging him to issue pardons for servicemen accused of war crimes, a move Trump later followed through on, despite opposition from top defense officials at the time.
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Trump has voiced his intent to reshape the Defense Department’s approach to global security challenges, including recalibrating relations with Russia, China, and Iran. His administration plans to prioritize national security strategies aligned with an “America First” agenda, with Hegseth potentially playing a central role in this shift.
