Pete Hegseth's Defence Secretary Tenure: A Predictable Catastrophe
Pete Hegseth, the former Fox News host turned US Defence Secretary, has proven to be every bit the disaster that critics foresaw. His appointment by Donald Trump, following a career in right-wing media, has resulted in a tenure marked by bloodthirsty rhetoric, unwavering loyalty to the former president, and a glaring inability to manage critical global moments. This outcome is hardly surprising to those who observed his media persona, where he fervently supported service members accused of war crimes.
From Fox News to the Pentagon: A Troubled Transition
With a firm jawline and coiffed hair, Hegseth was a natural fit for Fox News, but as Defence Secretary—or "secretary of war," as Trump prefers—he has been disastrous. His most significant test, America's misguided war with Iran, has underscored this failure beyond any legitimate argument. Matt Gertz, a senior fellow at Media Matters, notes that Hegseth's distinguishing characteristic on Fox was his ardent backing of American troops accused of war crimes, which appealed to Trump, a voracious consumer of right-wing media.
Trump's admiration propelled Hegseth from a B-level demagogue co-hosting Fox & Friends to the sixth in line for the presidency. In Trump's first term, qualified Pentagon leaders like James Mattis and Mark Esper somewhat restrained his excesses. However, after Trump's re-election, he discarded these restraints, leading figures like Mattis, Esper, and former chief of staff John Kelly to publicly warn of Trump's unfitness for office, with Kelly even labeling him a fascist.
Violence, Misinformation, and Loyalty Over Leadership
In contrast, Hegseth exudes loyalty, with consequences becoming increasingly apparent since his confirmation early last year. A recent Guardian editorial scathingly described him as "glorying repulsively in his capacity to order death and destruction," framing Operation Epic Fury as a 21st-century crusade to "break the teeth of the ungodly." His public prayers for merciless violence even drew a rare, indirect rebuke from Pope Leo.
Perhaps most dangerously, Hegseth reportedly misleads on military realities, including to the president. An administration official told the Washington Post that Hegseth fails to speak truth to Trump, resulting in the president repeating misleading information. For instance, Hegseth claimed Iran's missile and drone programs were "overwhelmingly destroyed," but US intelligence assessments reported by CNN contradict this.
He also misleads citizens through preening news conferences, such as defending Trump's threat to eradicate "a whole civilization" as a terrific negotiating tactic. However, as Greg Sargent noted in the New Republic, this is false; Iran was already negotiating before the war, and Trump sabotaged talks believing the conflict would be easy and glorious.
Lack of Qualifications and Partisan Antics
Hegseth's background offers little to suggest he can effectively oversee America's vast military, with nearly 3 million employees and a trillion-dollar budget, especially in wartime. His experience as an infantry officer in the Army National Guard, deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, pales next to the usual credentials of Pentagon leaders. Senator Mark Kelly, a retired Navy captain and astronaut, has called him "totally unqualified."
This lack of high-level experience was evident when Hegseth lectured top military officials at Quantico on fitness and "wokeness," promoting his own book in a performance widely seen as inappropriately partisan and crude. He proclaimed "FAFO" (fuck around and find out) to enemies, showcasing a nihilist approach.
Hostility to the Press and Image Control
Despite his media background, Hegseth has proven a fierce enemy of the legitimate press, imposing draconian rules to repress reporter access that oppose First Amendment principles and have been challenged in court. Recently, his staff barred access to wartime briefings after photographers captured unflattering angles, highlighting his prioritization of image over substance.
As Gertz summarizes, "We are seeing what happens when someone with a Fox News skillset is put in a position of massive power and influence." With bloodthirsty utterances, fierce loyalty to Trump, and an appalling inability to manage this historic moment, Hegseth is the disaster sensible observers predicted. At least, as critics note, every hair remains perfectly in place.
