President-elect Donald Trump’s decision to nominate Pete Hegseth as secretary of defense has sent mainstream media and the defense establishment at large into a tailspin, with criticism aimed at the veteran’s lack of defense experience. policy development. Still, national security experts say Hegseth could bring much-needed change to a Pentagon that has lost its way.

Asset announcement On Tuesday night, Hegseth would assume the role of the country’s supreme defense, introducing 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’s tenure, including recruiting and retention. crisisweapons stock shortageshot button on the left policies and two global wars who hung out in the United States

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

Hegseth aligns with Trump’s ‘America First’ approachhaving expressed his rejection of neoconservatism while also not seeming to favor isolationism. Hegseth also spoke on the Shawn Ryan Show in an interview published November 7 about the need to strip the Pentagon and the military of left-wing forces. policies which some say have hampered the military’s readiness.

Many corporate media reacted with shock has Hegseth be exploited to run the Pentagon. A number of officials and defense professionals who spoke to some media outlets expressed outrage over the choice, arguing that Trump should have chosen a Washington establishment figure for the role.

“Who the hell is this guy?” a defense lobbyist, who is hoping for “someone with extensive defense experience.” said Policy.

“People are shocked,” a current DOD official said. said the socket. “He’s just a Fox News personality who has never worked in government.”

Democratic lawmakers were also quick to cast doubt on Hegseth, expressing similar criticism.

“There is reason to be concerned that this is not a serious enough person, serious enough to implement the policies, to do a successful job,” said Democratic Rep. Adam Smith. of Washington. said The Associated Press.

Yet some people familiar with the world of national security and foreign affairs have a different view; Although Hegseth’s appointment came as a surprise, it could be exactly what the Pentagon needs right now.

“Hegseth understands the needs of our military and is committed to refocusing on readiness and key defense priorities, which will help address some recent challenges within the Department of Defense,” said Simone Ledeen, former senior official. from the Pentagon, to the DCNF.

A Princeton diplomaHegseth joined military in the early 2000s, serving in Cuba, Iraq and Afghanistan, and was an infantry platoon leader. He was also active among veterans businesshaving worked for Vets for Freedom and Concerned Veterans for America from the late 2000s to the mid-2010s.

“He personally fought in the wars that Washington engaged the nation in, in Iraq and Afghanistan,” Murphy said. “When I look at his resume, that’s what jumps out at me… when you were the guest of your government during our interventions abroad, I think it gives a perspective that we don’t have from a Secretary of Defense for a long time. »

The ultimate cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan is estimated between 4 and 6 trillion dollarsthe two conflicts resulting in the deaths of more than 7,000 American soldiers death and countless others injured. Additionally, 13 American service members died during the war. sloppy The Biden-Harris withdrawal in Afghanistan, which initially left thousands of Americans stranded. Around $7 billion in US military equipment was also left behind, ending up in the hands of the Taliban.

Hegseth joined Fox News in 2014 and has been with the network ever since. He was interviewed by Trump on Tuesday at the Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida and was chosen for the role the same day, according to sources familiar with the matter. said The Wall Street Journal.

Hegseth has publicly expressed his strong belief in conservatism, particularly regarding matters of national security.

“(Hegseth) “will be an extraordinary leader,” former Acting Director of National Intelligence Richard Grenell wrote in a statement. jobat X Tuesday. “He loves America and wants to protect it.”

The new Defense Secretary will inherit a number of challenges facing the Biden-Harris administration, including Russia-Ukraine war and the Middle East conflicts. It will also address the growing threat posed by Chinawhich has become increasingly hostile to the United States and is rapidly expanding its military.

During an interview with Shawn Ryan last week, Hegseth also raised the issue of the military’s current recruitment and retention crisis. Several branches of the military under the Biden administration have failed to meet recruiting goals in recent years, prompting the Pentagon to lower some standards to boost enlistment.

This is one area where Hegseth will likely fare better than Austin, Murphy told DCNF.

“It will be, I think, a tremendous recruiting boon to have a secretary who has served,” Murphy said.

He’s my next Secretary of Defense and he’s going to start by firing 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 address a number of policies adopted by the Biden administration and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in recent years.

Austin oversaw the implementation of several left-wing policies initiatives at the Pentagon. For example, the military has established diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) quotas for recruitment and retention. In another example, DCNF previously learned that the Air Force had set a “goal” of reducing the white population in a key recruiting program while setting specific goals for other races.

Austin also established a policy where the Pentagon reimburses service members for travel expenses if they have to travel to another state to get an abortion.

Trump is already rapidly filling positions in his cabinet and administration. The president-elect chose Tulsi Gabbard for head national intelligence, Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz as Attorney GeneralAdvisor Susie Wiles as White House Chief of Staff, Florida Rep. Mike Waltz as National Security Advisor, Tom Homan as “Border Czar,” North Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem as as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security and John Ratcliffe as Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director.

Florida Republican Sen. Marco was also confirmed Wednesday as Trump’s pick for secretary of state.

These choices represent a major departure from current Biden officials. Hegseth will replace Austin; Wiles will succeed Jeff Zients; Waltz set to succeed Jake Sullivan; Noem will replace Alejandro Mayorkas; Stefanik will succeed Linda Thomas-Greenfield and Ratcliffe will fill the role of Bill Burns. Rubio should replace Antony Blinken.

(Featured Image Media Credit: Screenshot/Fox News)