President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Pete Hegseth to be his Secretary of Defense. This decision has caused a lot of concern because of Hegseth’s troubling past. Many people wonder if he is fit for such an important job. Columnist Ana Marie Cox even described Hegseth as “the perfect monster” for Trump’s team. Let’s break it all down.
Hegseth is well-known as a Fox News personality. He often appears on Fox & Friends where his behavior has raised questions. For example, he once threw an axe on live TV, almost hitting someone. He has also proudly admitted to not washing his hands after using the bathroom. Yes, he really said that. Hygiene doesn’t seem to be a priority for him.
But there’s more. Cox also shared a personal experience with Hegseth that left her feeling uncomfortable. She recalls being on the set of Fox & Friends, where Hegseth’s behavior was already off-putting. “Even on the set of Fox & Friends, he’s a loose cannon eager to provoke (throwing axes with dangerous abandon, bragging about his refusal to wash his hands),” she writes. “He was considerably looser after martinis and bourbon. I was stone-cold sober. The hug goodbye lingered; his emphasis on how good it was to see me left me with a buzzy sense of unexpressed energy.” This experience gives us a glimpse into his troubling behavior, which extends beyond the TV screen and into personal interactions.
The bigger issue is Hegseth’s history of sexual misconduct allegations. In 2017, a woman known as Jane Doe filed a police report against him. She accused him of locking her in a hotel room and sexually assaulting her. Hegseth denied part of the story but admitted to some of the details. Eventually, he settled the case by paying the woman an undisclosed amount.
Stay up-to-date with the latest news!
Subscribe and start recieving our daily emails.
You might think this would end a person’s career. But in Trump’s world, it seems like loyalty matters more than morals. As Cox wrote, “For the members of this new administration, favor-trading is their most obvious skill and slick morals the defining character trait… In the Trump world, consequence-free bad behavior is the résumé. Hell, given the propensity of Trump administrations to become a snakepit, it’s also a survival skill.” In Hegseth’s case, his history of reckless behavior and allegations of misconduct overshadow any professional qualifications he might have.” Trump has faced many allegations of sexual misconduct himself, so Hegseth’s history probably doesn’t bother him.
But is this what America needs? The Secretary of Defense is responsible for protecting the country. This is not a job for someone who is reckless or unprofessional. Hegseth’s military experience might be useful, but his behavior raises serious concerns. Can we trust him to make decisions about national security?
Cox describes Trump’s team as a “Suicide Squad” of villains. She argues that bad behavior isn’t just ignored—it’s rewarded. This sets a dangerous precedent. It tells people that you don’t need good morals or strong qualifications to lead. You just need to stay loyal to Trump. Is this the kind of leadership we need? Shouldn’t leaders focus on protecting the country instead of serving their own interests?
Featured image via Political Tribune Gallery
