Donald Trump stunned the Pentagon and our allies by nominating Fox News host Pete Hegseth to serve as Secretary of Defense. Hegseth, inexperienced and untested on the global stage, would take over the world’s largest and most powerful military.
Hegseth’s nomination isn’t surprising from someone whose policies have been shaped by a far-right media bubble. Hegseth isn’t just a Fox News host — he’s been an informal adviser to Trump on foreign policy despite lacking qualifications. But this pick isn’t about experience — it’s about loyalty and optics. Trump’s announcement of Hegseth was full of praise for his work at Fox News and, per a CNN source, Trump was also big on Hegseth’s “look.” This reflects a trend — Fox News evolving from Trump’s media megaphone to influence his governing decisions.
Trump wants to replace experienced generals with loyalists. Trump’s team is even drafting an executive order to purge Pentagon leadership that doesn’t align with his “MAGA military” vision, where leaders put loyalty to him above loyalty to the Constitution. Hegseth shares Trump’s vision. He’s openly opposed women in combat, and his rhetoric echoes Fox News’ far-right talking points rather than constitutional principles. Please tell your senators to oppose his nomination.
Suellen Roberts,
Fairlawn