US politics in turmoil as Fox News host chosen as Secretary of Defense

US President-elect Donald Trump's choice of Pete Hegseth - a veteran and Fox News host - for the position of US Secretary of Defense was surprising and received mixed opinions.

The appointment of Mr. Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense caused much surprise and controversy - Photo: AFP

On November 12, President-elect Donald Trump surprised everyone by selecting Pete Hegseth, a veteran Fox News host and veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, as the US Secretary of Defense. According to sources shared with CNN, Mr. Hegseth's selection was a big surprise, because Mr. Hegseth was not among those highly regarded by Mr. Trump's team for this position. This is currently only a nomination from President-elect Donald Trump. Mr. Hegseth needs approval from the Senate to officially become the US Secretary of Defense before Mr. Trump takes office on January 20, 2025.

Different steps

As a staunch supporter of President-elect Donald Trump, Mr. Hegseth has always been a staunch supporter of the "America First" policy and is known for his loyalty to conservative values, especially on military and national security issues. This choice of Mr. Trump is considered a notable departure from the Defense Secretaries he chose in his first term. In his previous term, Mr. Trump chose experienced veterans such as four-star General James Mattis and Army Secretary Mark Esper to lead the Pentagon. According to ABC News, Mr. Hegseth will lead the Pentagon in the context of increasing conflicts on many fronts, including Russia's war in Ukraine, ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, efforts to reach a ceasefire between Israel, Hamas and Hezbollah, and growing concerns about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea. While the Secretary of Defense is considered a key position in any administration, it has been a fraught position during Trump’s first term in office, with four people filling the position between 2017 and 2021.

Mr. Hegseth is an ardent supporter of Mr. Trump and his "America First" policy - Photo: FACEBOOK/HEGSETH

Praise and criticism are enough.

Despite his military background, Hegseth's selection for the position of defense secretary was controversial, given his lack of senior management experience in the field. "Everyone was shocked by the new appointment," a defense official told CNN. Representative Adam Smith of Washington said he was surprised by the decision. "I honestly didn't know who Pete Hegseth was until about 20 minutes ago," Smith told reporters. "He doesn't seem to have much knowledge of Defense Department policy. A lot of what he's done has been related to veterans policy, so his lack of experience is concerning," Smith added. Some former Trump officials, who have stayed in touch with colleagues and been regularly updated on the transition, were also surprised by the decision. One former official said they were "shocked" and predicted there would be an effort to "stop him."

Mr. Hegseth and his wife took a photo with Mr. Trump in 2019 - Photo: FACEBOOK/HEGSETH

Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska said “wow” when she heard that Mr. Trump had chosen the Fox News host to lead the Pentagon, while Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina said the choice was “pretty interesting.” Sen. Todd Young of Indiana, a Trump critic, said he wanted to learn more about Mr. Hegseth before making a judgment. “I don’t know much about his background and his vision. I look forward to learning more. I want to give all of President-elect Trump’s nominees a chance to show what they can do,” he said. Despite the mixed reviews, there were still people who praised Mr. Trump’s choice and believed in the new defense secretary’s abilities. “Mr. Trump is assembling a strong cabinet. Pete brings a lot of value, he has experience, and I think he will be innovative in the areas where it’s needed. So I’m very excited about this decision,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Trump ally.

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