President-elect Donald Trump has nominated a popular Fox News host to serve as Secretary of Defense, placing him in charge of the world’s most powerful military. Pete Hegseth, 44, a former infantry officer with deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, has earned two Bronze Stars, according to his official website. Hegseth joined Fox News as a contributor in 2014 and currently co-hosts Fox and Friends Weekend and hosts for Fox Nation. He is also an author of multiple books.
Hegseth’s nomination may be one of Trump’s most divisive Cabinet choices and is expected to face a challenging Senate confirmation process. Trump will need support from at least four Republican senators to prevent a Democratic filibuster. Hegseth’s limited senior military and national security experience could further strain relations between the Pentagon and Congress.
Hegseth, who was on the shortlist for the job in 2017, is a regular guest on Fox News and has maintained close ties with Trump. The president-elect often refers to him on air and watches his program, and he has spoken highly of Hegseth at his political events. The pair also share a passion for the US military and have forged a deep friendship.
While Hegseth has articulated a few specific policy positions, he has railed against NATO allies as weak and said China is on the verge of dominating its neighbors. He also pushed for privatization of Department of Veterans Affairs functions while working for conservative veterans groups, including Vets for Freedom and Concerned Veterans for America.
In his new role, Hegseth would have significant authority over the military, including its budget. His nomination has raised concerns among lawmakers about whether he will seek to dismantle the department’s civilian leadership and shift power to the military. Hegseth’s nomination is the latest in a series of moves by Trump to populate his administration with Fox News personalities and veterans from veterans groups. The president-elect has tapped former Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Tom Homan, who made frequent paid appearances on Fox News, as his border czar.
Without legislative or executive experience, Hegseth is expected to face a difficult Senate confirmation battle. The confirmation hearing will likely occur in 2021, and it’s still being determined how many votes he will need to win. The nominee’s selection could also raise fears that Trump will target career military officers and civil servants who he perceives to be disloyal to him or the conservative cause. Such a move could further strain relations with Congress and increase the odds of a shutdown in early 2021.
