While Donald Trump’s first batch of foreign policy and national security appointments for his second term was fairly conventional, by Republican standards, his choice for the Pentagon was not: Trump announced Tuesday that he will nominate Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense.
The Pentagon was led, in Trump’s first term, by James Mattis, a retired Marine Corps four-star general, and Mark Esper, who was previously secretary of the Army, although both men ended up at odds with Trump. The current secretary of defense, Lloyd Austin, is also a retired four-star general.
Now, Trump has turned to Hegseth, a longtime Fox News host who is known for encouraging Trump to pardon war criminals, for once admitting on the air that he doesn’t wash his hands, and for a colorful “personal life” section on his Wikipedia page. Hegseth is also a military veteran, but was not a general, and has not ever led a government department.
‘Who the f–k is this guy?’ was the reaction by some in the defense world to the pick, per Politico, with one veterans activist calling him “undoubtedly the least qualified nominee for SecDef in American history.” Some Republican senators also expressed surprise at the news that Hegseth was the pick, and their support is necessary for Hegseth to gain confirmation.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) came out against the pick:
A Fox & Friends weekend co-host is not qualified to be the Secretary of Defense.
I lead the Senate military personnel panel. All three of my brothers served in uniform. I respect every one of our servicemembers.
Donald Trump’s pick will make us less safe and must be rejected. https://t.co/6ADUJSm8x6
— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) November 13, 2024
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Another voice has spoken up expressing skepticism about the appointment: Former Fox News host Gretchen Carlson, who like Hegseth is a former host of Fox & Friends.
“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?,” Carlson wrote on X.
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? https://t.co/YWBwLJsnR8
— Gretchen Carlson (@GretchenCarlson) November 13, 2024
Carlson, a former Miss America, worked for Fox News from 2005 to 2016, and that year she sued longtime Fox News head Roger Ailes for sexual harassment, leading to Ailes’ departure from the network.
Carlson and Hegseth both happen to be natives of Minnesota.
Photo courtesy of Political Tribune media library.
