An Iraq and Afghanistan veteran who gained attention for blaming 'wokeness' for U.S. military setbacks is now poised to take the helm as Defense Secretary.
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Pete Hegseth has built a lucrative career as a right-wing TV personality, blaming what he calls "wokeness" for the U.S. military's failures in Iraq and Afghanistan. Now, as Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense, the Princeton-educated Fox News host and military veteran is one vote away from overseeing the world’s largest and most powerful military.
Hegseth’s path from suburban Minnesota to the front lines of U.S. military strategy mirrors both America’s misadventures abroad and the country’s rightward shift under Trump, who views the U.S. as weakened by the left. In his 20s, Hegseth served at Guantánamo Bay and in Iraq with the Minnesota National Guard. In his early 30s, he was deployed to Afghanistan. By his late 30s, he had become a dominant Fox News voice and co-host on the channel Trump frequents.
Hegseth has a series of tattoos, including “Jesus” in biblical Hebrew on his forearm, a Jerusalem Cross on his chest, and a U.S. flag with an M16 rifle replacing the stripes. He has said his National Guard unit withdrew him from guarding Biden's inauguration due to his Jerusalem Cross tattoo, which has been associated with white nationalist groups.
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In his broadcasts, Pete Hegseth, 44, has proposed an alternative vision for the U.S. military that closely mirrors Donald Trump’s view of the country. He argues that what was once a formidable fighting force has been weakened by efforts to be more inclusive and, in his view, by prosecuting soldiers for alleged war crimes in Iraq and Afghanistan — pointing to the mid-1990s as a turning point.
Hegseth’s vision for reforming the military came into sharper focus during an appearance last week on the *Shawn Ryan Show*, where he outlined his approach: an “ethos change” aimed at rooting out what he calls “socially correct garbage.” He argued this was essential in light of ongoing crises, such as the war in Ukraine, the looming threat of conflict between Israel and Iran, and the potential for a Chinese invasion of Taiwan.
“First of all, you’ve got to fire the chairman of the Joint Chiefs,” Hegseth said, calling for the removal of General CQ Brown as a necessary “course correction.” He added that any general or admiral involved in diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, or any form of "woke" agenda, should be dismissed.
Hegseth’s distinction between soldiers who fight with valor and officers who, in his view, burden the military with “woke” policies was a key factor in his proximity to Trump’s first presidency, where he was reportedly considered for a role leading the Department of Veterans Affairs.
This perspective is encapsulated in the title of his bestselling book, *The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free*, published earlier this year. In it, Hegseth warns of a future conflict in which “red-blooded American men” will need to rescue the country’s liberal elites, whom he disparages as “candy asses.”
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In his book, Pete Hegseth writes, “No wonder there is a massive recruiting crisis in our military today — especially with young white men. Why would God-fearing, traditional, patriotic kids want to join when they’re faced with accusations of racism, forced to choose pronouns, and then expected to walk patrol with a ‘man’ more concerned about transitioning than being a warrior?”
During Trump’s first administration, Hegseth remained at Fox News, where his reputation as a staunch conservative grew. In one memorable moment, he appeared on live television at an axe-throwing event, accidentally injuring a nearby band member. Fox News also became the hub for conservative criticism of the U.S. military's diversity and inclusion efforts under the first Black secretary of defense, Lloyd Austin.
Austin came under fire from the right after ordering a review of "extremism" in the military, following the discovery that several people involved in the January 6 Capitol riots had military ties.
Hegseth’s nomination as Defense Secretary has alarmed some of America’s European allies, who were already concerned about potential shifts in U.S. foreign policy — particularly regarding Ukraine. Trump has made clear his intention to change the U.S. strategy on the war, while also reconsidering America’s commitment to NATO.
"I woke up this morning in Vienna to the news, and thought: whom the gods would destroy, they first make mad," said one former senior Western military leader with NATO ties.
Hegseth’s views on the Ukraine conflict have fluctuated. Four days after Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, he suggested that while the war was important, it paled in comparison to domestic issues like crime, “wokeness,” and inflation. However, he quickly criticized President Biden for not providing military aid to Ukraine fast enough. Last week, he referred to the war as “Putin’s give-me-my-shit-back war,” reflecting the Kremlin’s view that Ukraine was historically part of Russia’s sphere of influence.
Hegseth described Putin's stance as: “We used to have the former Soviet Union and we’re pretty proud of that. And Ukraine was a part of it, and all these other countries, and I want my shit back.” At the same time, he blamed Biden for being "AWOL" and allowing Putin to reclaim former Soviet territory.
Hegseth did not respond to a request for comment.
The nomination has already stirred controversy in the U.S., with many questioning Trump’s decision to appoint someone many consider to be lacking the necessary experience or credibility to lead the Pentagon. Some former Trump administration officials, who supported his other picks for top national security positions, have expressed dismay, with one calling the decision “crazy.”
How Hegseth’s views will influence U.S. military policy remains uncertain. However, General Lord Richard Dannatt, a former head of the British Army, warned that Hegseth's "very limited military background and no government experience" could pose significant challenges. "The U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff will have their work cut out to make their case for continuing support for Ukraine and NATO. But I think we can expect Hegseth to loyally carry out Trump’s agenda," Dannatt added.
Others were less reserved in their criticism. “A total clown show,” said John Foreman, a former UK defense attaché in Moscow. “The guy seems more interested in fighting culture wars within the Department of Defense than in any serious military leadership.”
Nevertheless, culture wars and efforts to purge perceived enemies have been central to Trump’s political success, and Hegseth’s rise within Trump’s inner circle. In his book, *The War on Warriors*, Hegseth describes himself as an outsider, choosing not to renew his security clearance because he no longer wanted to be involved with the military. He positions himself as a mission-driven reformer determined to save the armed forces from "wokeness."
“My trust in this army is irrevocably broken,” Hegseth wrote. “The so-called elites directing the military today aren’t just lowering standards and focusing on the wrong enemy — they believe power is bad, merit is unfair, and white people are yesterday.”
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