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US President-elect Donald Trump's nomination of Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense has sparked criticism and surprise among both opponents and some allies. Hegseth, a Fox News commentator and former Army National Guard Major, lacks senior military or political experience, leading critics to question his qualifications for the role.
A Reuters report cites an unnamed senior Department of Defense official stating that Hegseth is "not even qualified for a far less senior job," while another described him as "the least qualified person" in the history of the position. As Secretary of Defense, Hegseth would oversee a budget exceeding $800 billion, 1.3 million active-duty service members, and nearly one million civilian military workers.
Hegseth has publicly supported Trump's intention to dismiss military leaders who back "woke" ideology and opposes what he perceives as the politicization of the military. Among those criticized by Hegseth is Air Force General C.Q. Brown, current chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. On a recent podcast, Hegseth suggested Brown's appointment was influenced by his race and called for his dismissal due to support for progressive policies.
