WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump shocked the Pentagon and the wider defense community by nominating Fox News host Pete Hegseth as his defense secretary, choosing an individual with limited experience on the global stage to oversee the world’s largest and most powerful military.
The announcement drew surprise and concern from many in Washington, as Trump bypassed several established national security experts in favor of Hegseth, an Army National Guard captain best known for co-hosting Fox & Friends Weekend and for his prominence in conservative circles.
While some Republican lawmakers offered a muted response, others highlighted Hegseth's combat experience as an asset, with some calling him “tremendously capable.”
Hegseth’s selection signals potential changes within the military. He has publicly criticized "woke" initiatives focused on equity and inclusion and has raised questions about the role of women in combat. Additionally, he has expressed support for pardoning service members accused of war crimes, reflecting his controversial and unconventional stance on military issues.
In June, during a rally in Las Vegas, Trump urged his supporters to purchase Hegseth’s book, adding that if he won the presidency, “The woke stuff will be gone within 24 hours. I can promise you that.”
The 44-year-old Pete Hegseth, a strong conservative who aligns with Trump’s “America First” agenda, has advocated for making the military more lethal. In a discussion on *The Shawn Ryan Show* podcast, he argued that allowing women to serve in combat undermines that goal.
“Everything about men and women serving together complicates the situation, and in combat, more complexity leads to worse casualties,” Hegseth said.
While acknowledging that diversity can be a strength within the military, Hegseth argued that minority and white men can perform at similar levels, but he believes the same is not true for women.
“By opening combat roles to women, we’ve lowered the standards to allow them in, which ultimately reduces the capability of the unit,” Hegseth stated during the interview.
Since then-Defense Secretary Ash Carter opened all combat roles to women in 2016, women have successfully passed the military’s rigorous tests to become Green Berets, Army Rangers, and even to serve as combatant-craft crewmen in Naval Special Warfare — the boat operators who transport Navy SEALs and carry out their own covert missions at sea.
While Trump praised Hegseth as "tough, smart, and a true believer in America First," critics quickly highlighted the TV personality’s lack of experience. Some speculated he might serve as Pentagon chief in name only, with the Trump White House effectively running the department.
Other names floated for the defense secretary role included Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., chair of the House Armed Services Committee; retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg; Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa; and Robert Wilkie, a former Pentagon official who led the Department of Veterans Affairs during Trump’s first term.
“There are concerns that he may not be a serious enough policymaker or implementer to succeed in this role,” said Rep. Adam Smith of Washington, the ranking Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee.
Mark Cancian, a senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, noted that Hegseth's lack of senior national security experience could make Senate confirmation more challenging.
“I think Trump was tired of clashing with his defense secretaries and chose someone who would be loyal to him,” Cancian said.
Military officials described the nomination as unexpected. One senior officer, speaking on the condition of anonymity due to restrictions on discussing the matter publicly, expressed concerns about Hegseth's ability to manage such a large and complex department. The officer questioned whether Hegseth had the practical experience needed to oversee a vast organization with a massive budget.
The Department of Defense oversees a budget exceeding $800 billion, and is responsible for about 1.3 million active-duty troops, along with another 1.4 million personnel in the National Guard, Reserves, and civilian roles around the world.
If confirmed, Hegseth would confront a formidable range of global challenges, including ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea, and escalating competition with China. Additionally, there would be the critical task of modernizing the U.S. missile and nuclear defense systems, as well as ensuring the defense industry can meet the nation’s demands for advanced weapons systems.
Rep. Adam Smith expressed that while Hegseth’s combat experience could be an asset, leading the Pentagon requires a broader skill set. He noted that Hegseth’s nomination would warrant careful scrutiny.
“What’s your plan? What are you going to do?” Smith asked. “How can you assure us that your lack of experience won’t make it impossible for you to succeed in this role?” Smith added, “I think these are questions that will need to be addressed in the coming months.”
Even some Senate Republicans, who will ultimately vote on Hegseth’s nomination, responded with measured comments.
Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina called the selection "interesting." Senator Todd Young of Indiana, a former Marine Corps officer, said, “I don’t know much about his background or vision, so I’m looking forward to learning more.”
Senator John Hoeven of North Dakota wasn’t surprised by Trump’s choice, noting that Trump is “close to him, likes him, and trusts him.”
“The guy’s obviously tremendously capable, a great communicator,” Hoeven said. “I look forward to getting to know him better.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., expressed confidence in Hegseth, saying he would bring a reform-minded approach to areas in need of change.
Hegseth has been a Fox News contributor since 2014, where he developed a close relationship with Trump, who frequently appeared on his show. Hegseth is also the author of *The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free.*
“With Pete at the helm, America’s enemies are on notice — Our military will be Great Again, and America will Never Back Down,” Trump said in a statement. “Nobody fights harder for the troops, and Pete will be a courageous and patriotic champion of our ‘Peace through Strength’ policy.”
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Associated Press writers Jill Colvin in New York, Lisa Mascaro, Mary Clare Jalonick, and Farnoush Amiri contributed to this report.
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