Pete Hegseth, a retired Army National Guard major and combat veteran, has been nominated by President-elect Donald Trump to be the next secretary of defense. If confirmed by the Senate, Hegseth will oversee the day-to-day efforts of the military during a time of transition from counter-terrorism operations to conflicts with peer and near-peer adversaries like Russia and China.
Hegseth, who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, is a highly decorated veteran with multiple awards, including the Bronze Star. He retired from military service in 2021 and has since been engaged in veterans advocacy efforts and served as the CEO for Concerned Veterans for America.
In addition to his military service, Hegseth is an author and political commentator, known for his books on military and political issues. He has voiced concerns about the military’s focus on political issues and “wokeness,” warning that the U.S. military’s warfighting capabilities are lagging behind those of China. Hegseth has criticized the military’s procurement process and raised concerns about the impact of supporting the Ukrainian war effort on U.S. readiness.
Supply of Artillery Shells Donated to Ukrainian Forces
Speaking with Ryan, Hegseth revealed that he was once a strong supporter of the Iraq War but now believes it was a mistake. He described himself as a “recovering neocon” for the past six years, criticizing past interventions that often led to worsening situations.
Commenting on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Hegseth expressed concern about the possibility of his son being deployed to eastern Ukraine. He emphasized the importance of ending the conflict through negotiations.
As the 2024 election cycle progresses, Trump has indicated a preference for resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict swiftly through diplomatic means.
