President-elect Donald Trump has named Pete Hegseth, a Fox News host and military veteran, as his pick for defense secretary. In a statement, Trump praised Hegseth as “tough, smart, and a true believer in America First,” vowing that with him in charge, the military would be revitalized and America would “never back down.” House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., supported the choice, citing Hegseth’s experience and reform-minded approach, though he did not elaborate on specific areas requiring change.
However, Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, expressed concern over Hegseth’s lack of experience in Department of Defense (DoD) policy, noting his background in veterans’ issues rather than military operations. Smith acknowledged being unfamiliar with Hegseth prior to Trump’s announcement and questioned his ability to manage the Pentagon, the world’s largest bureaucracy.
Hegseth, known for his outspoken views, recently criticized diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in the military, calling them “woke” and advocating for a major overhaul. In a podcast interview, he argued that top military leaders involved in DEI efforts should be removed. This echoes Trump’s past approach, having previously nominated James Mattis and Mark Esper for defense secretary. Mattis resigned in 2018, citing differences with Trump on key military policies, while Esper was fired in 2020 following disagreements, including over the use of active-duty troops during racial justice protests.
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