President-elect Donald Trump’s decision to hire Pete Hegseth as defense secretary has thrown corporate media and the broader defense establishment into turmoil as critics decry the veteran’s lack of policy-making experience. But national security experts say Mr. Hegseth could bring much-needed change to a Pentagon that has lost its way.

President Trump announced Tuesday night that Hegseth would take over the top defense role, touting him as “tough, smart and a true believer in America First.” Hegseth will face a series of challenges that began during the Biden-Harris administration. These include a recruitment and retention crisis, a shortage of weapons stockpiles, high-profile left-wing policies, and two world wars that have drawn the United States into it. (Related: American aviator who leaked confidential Ukrainian documents sentenced to 15 years in prison)

“He wasn’t on my bingo card, but I just finished reading his book and was incredibly impressed by what he had to say,” said the former Pentagon spokesperson. Morgan Murphy, national security adviser to Sen. Tommy Tuberville, told Daily Caller News. Foundation. “I think it’s a really good choice by the president.”

Hegseth aligns with President Trump’s ‘America First’ philosophy approachhas vocally expressed its rejection of neo-conservatism, but does not seem to subscribe to isolationism either. Hegseth also spoke about the need to strip the left wing of the Pentagon and military in an interview with Sean Ryan published on Nov. 7. policy Some argue that military readiness has been hampered.

Many corporate media outlets responded as follows. shock in Hegseth There is tapped He will lead the Department of Defense. Many officials and defense officials interviewed by some media outlets expressed anger at the selection, saying Mr. Trump should have chosen someone from the Washington establishment for the role.

“Who the hell is this guy?” asked one defense lobbyist, hoping for “someone who actually has a rich background in the defense field.” said Politico.

“The public is in shock,” said one current Pentagon official. said Outlet. “He is just a Fox News personality and has never worked for the government.”

Democratic lawmakers have questioned Hegseth and voiced similar criticism.

“There’s reason to be concerned that this person is not a serious enough policy maker, a serious enough policy implementer, and someone who can do the job successfully,” said Representative Adam Smith, a Washington Democrat. There is,” he said. said Associated Press.

But some people familiar with the world of national security and foreign affairs think differently. Hegseth’s appointment was a surprise, but it may be exactly what the Pentagon needs right now.

“Mr. Hegseth understands the needs of service members and is committed to refocusing the core priorities of readiness and defense,” Simone Ledeen, a former senior Pentagon official, told DCNF. “It will help address some of the recent challenges within the Department of Defense.”

princeton graduationHegseth I participated In the early 2000s, he served in Cuba, Iraq, and Afghanistan, where he served as an infantry platoon leader. He also active among veterans Office workFrom the late 2000s to mid-2010s, he worked for Vets for Freedom and Concerned Veterans for America.

“He has personally participated in wars that Washington has enlisted the nation in, including Iraq and Afghanistan,” Murphy said. “When I look at his resume, that’s what comes to mind…When you participate in our foreign interventions as a guest of the government, I think that gives you a perspective that we haven’t had as secretary of defense for a long time. Masu. “

The final cost of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars is $4 trillion and $6 trillionboth conflicts claimed the lives of more than 7,000 U.S. military personnel. Deaths (number) And countless people were injured. Additionally, the Biden-Harris administration’s Afghanistan withdrawal failed, initially leaving thousands of Americans stranded and 13 U.S. service members killed. Approximately $7 billion in U.S. military equipment was also left behind, which ended up in the hands of the Taliban.

Hegseth joined Fox News in 2014 and has been with the network ever since. Officials said he interviewed with President Trump at the Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida on Tuesday and was selected for the role the same day. said Wall Street Journal.

Mr. Hegseth has publicly expressed strong beliefs in conservatism, particularly when it comes to national security issues.

“[Hegseth]”He will be a great leader,” wrote Richard Grenell, former acting director of national intelligence. post X on Tuesday. “He loves America and wants to protect her.”

The next secretary of defense will inherit many challenges plaguing the Biden-Harris administration, including the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and conflict in the Middle East. It also intends to deal with the growing threat from China, which is increasingly hostile to the United States and rapidly expanding its military.

Hegseth also raised the issue of the ongoing recruitment and retention crisis within the military during an interview with Sean Ryan last week. Several branches of the military under the Biden administration have missed recruitment goals in recent years, leading the Pentagon to lower some standards to encourage entry.

Murphy told DCNF that this is an area where Hegseth is likely to do better than Austin.

“I think hiring a secretary with work experience is a huge benefit to your recruiting efforts,” Murphy said.

This is my next Secretary of Defense, and the first thing he’s going to do is fire everyone responsible for promoting woke ideology in the military — and I can’t wait.pic.twitter.com/6uXV3kbySv

— Marina Medvin 🇺🇸 (@MarinaMedvin) November 13, 2024

Hegseth is also likely to mention a number of policies adopted in recent years by the Biden administration and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.

Austin has overseen the implementation of several left-wing initiatives at the Pentagon. For example, the military has diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) quotas for recruitment and retention. In another example, the DCNF previously learned that the Air Force sets “goals” to reduce the white population in its major recruiting programs, while setting specific goals for other races. Ta.

Austin also established a policy in which the Department of Defense would reimburse travel expenses if a service member had to travel to another state to obtain an abortion.

Trump is already rapidly filling cabinet and administration positions. The next president will have Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence, Republican Matt Gaetz as Attorney General, Counselor Susie Wiles as White House Chief of Staff, and Florida Representative Mike Walz as National Security Adviser. Congressman Mike Walz has been elected as Border Commissioner. Emperor” stars North Dakota Governor Kristi Noem as the Secretary of Homeland Security and John Ratcliffe as the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

On Wednesday, Florida Republican Sen. Marco was also nominated as President Trump’s nominee for secretary of state.

These picks are major changes from Biden’s current officials. Hegseth will replace Austin. Wiles takes over for Jeff Zients. Walz will replace Jake Sullivan. Noem will replace Alejandro Mayorkas. Stefanik will take over from Linda Thomas-Greenfield, and Ratcliffe will fill the role of Bill Burns. Rubio is set to succeed Antony Blinken.

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