Pentagon, Broader Defence World Stunned by President-elect Trump’s Defence Secretary Choice

Date:

Washington: President-elect Donald Trump stunned the Pentagon and the broader defence world by nominating Fox News host Pete Hegseth to serve as his defence secretary, tapping someone largely inexperienced and untested on the global stage to take over the world’s largest and most powerful military.

The news was met with bewilderment and worry among many in Washington as Trump passed on a number of established national security heavy-hitters and chose an Army National Guard captain well known in conservative circles as a co-host of Fox News Channel’s “Fox & Friends Weekend.”

ads

While some Republican lawmakers had a muted response to the announcement, others called his combat experience an asset or said he was “tremendously capable.”

Hegseth’s choice could bring sweeping changes to the military. He has made it clear on his show and in interviews that, like Trump, he is opposed to “woke” programs that promote equity and inclusion. He also has questioned the role of women in combat and advocated pardoning service members charged with war crimes.

In June, at a rally in Las Vegas, Trump encouraged his supporters to buy Hegseth’s book and said that if he won the presidency, “The woke stuff will be gone within a period of 24 hours. I can tell you.”

The 44-year-old Hegseth, a staunch conservative who embraces Trump’s “America First” policies, has pushed for making the military more lethal. “Everything about men and women serving together makes the situation more complicated, and complication in combat, that means casualties are worse,” Hegseth said.

big bang

And while he said diversity in the military is a strength, he said it was because minority and white men can perform similarly but the same isn’t true for women. By opening combat slots to women, “we’ve changed the standards in putting them there, which means you’ve changed the capability of that unit,” Hegseth said in the podcast interview.

While Trump lauded Hegseth as “tough, smart and a true believer in America First,” others were quick to point to the TV personality’s lack of experience. Some suggested he could be Pentagon chief in name only as the Trump White House runs the department.

huges
raksha-anirveda-icon

Raksha Anirveda's editorial desk team brings in the collective experience of creative professionals - a fine mix of senior copy editors, writers, proofreaders and designers. Working as a team, they continuously create, manage, and curate content to sustain the magazine's profile and reputation in line with market trends and achieve magazine's goal.

More like this

Italian Defence Spending Rise Still Short of NATO Target

Rome: Italy’s defence spending is rising at a steady...

Israeli Ministry of Defence Awards Contract to Ashot Ashkelon for Supply of Critical Components 

Tel Aviv: The heavy use of the Israeli Defence...

ADSB Signs Local Contract for 24-A Houseboat

Abu Dhabi, UAE: EDGE Group entity, Abu Dhabi Ship...

Dr Sajid Farid Shapoo Joins as New Chief Vigilance Officer of BEML Ltd

Bangalore: BEML Limited has announced the appointment of Dr...

India’s Long-Range Hypersonic Missile Capability: A Brahmastra Against China

The long-range hypersonic missile test on November 16, 2024...

Ramping Up: NATO Takes Control of AAMDS, Activates Poland Anti-Missile Site

Warsaw: In a major step towards ramping up NATO’s...

Raghu Vamsi Aerospace Group Lays Foundation Stone to Build New Facility in Hyderabad with Investment of Rs 300 Crore

Hyderabad:  Hyderabad-based, The Raghu Vamsi Group, which manufactures cutting...

Pentagon Selects Seven Companies to Build Software Enablers to Connect the Swarms of Small, Low-Cost Drones

Washington: The Pentagon has chosen seven companies to build...
spot_img