President-elect Donald Trump has recently chosen Pete Hegseth, a former Army officer and current co-host of “Fox & Friends Weekend,” to serve as his secretary of defense. But not everyone is convinced that Hegseth is qualified for this high-level position.
During a recent episode of “The View,” co-host Whoopi Goldberg criticized Hegseth, stating that “he clearly does not know anything about the military.” The panel aired a clip of Hegseth opposing women serving in combat and criticizing the military’s lowering of standards, though he clarified that he respects female service members. Goldberg went on to question if Hegseth, who served in the Army in Iraq and Afghanistan, and served in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, is truly the right person to make decisions about the most powerful military in the world.
Trump announced Hegseth’s appointment in a Tuesday evening statement on his new social media platform, Truth Social, praising his military experience. He also lauded Hegseth’s book, “The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free,” which delved into “the deep roots of our dysfunction” in the military and called for a return to “meritocracy, lethality, accountability and excellence,” according to Trump’s statement.
But Hegseth’s views on diversity, equity, and inclusion within the military may conflict with Trump’s plans for the Department of Defense. He previously served as the head of the Concerned Veterans for America, which has been critical of DEI efforts within the military. And Trump himself has expressed a desire to slash funding, decrease the number of generals, and roll back DEI efforts in order to “make the military woke-free.”
This shift in policy has sparked concern among military leaders and experts. The America First Policy Institute, a think tank aligned with Trump, has released an outline for changes to military doctrine and policies that would remove “non-military issues” such as climate change and democracy promotion. Some fear that this could lead to a weakening of the military and a decrease in overall effectiveness.
Hegseth’s appointment may also have deeper implications for the military culture. In 2019, he publicly supported Chief Petty Officer Edward Gallagher, who was acquitted of serious war crime charges in Iraq. Some see this as a sign that Hegseth supports a more aggressive and less disciplined military approach.
Despite concerns about his qualifications and views, Hegseth’s military experience cannot be overlooked. He earned two Bronze Stars and a Combat Infantryman Badge during his service, and has been praised for fighting on behalf of his fellow veterans.