Pete Hegseth has been nominated for the next U.S. Secretary of Defense; he is a high-profile critic of what he refers to as “woke” military policies. The former Army National Guard officer and Fox News contributor has steadfastly called for a return to traditional military values, including the firing of leaders he believes have weakened the armed forces with progressive ideology.
The Pentagon makes a contentious selection
Hegseth’s nomination will ignite a controversy regarding his views on military leadership and culture. He is known for criticizing military diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), which has earned him conservative backers but has also made him some enemies who contend that “inclusivity strengthens” the armed forces.
While on air as a media personality, Hegseth has most consistently called for policies that put combat readiness before their social programs: Military focus, he added, should emanate only through warfighting capabilities but not through some cultural changes.
Potential Policy Changes Under Hegseth
If confirmed, Hegseth would bring major changes to the Department of Defense including:
- Canceling DEI initiatives he believes have politicized the military.
- Strengthening recruitment criteria to reflect a more traditional or martial value system.
- Review foreign policy and military strategy, with a focus on deterrence and readiness to fight.
Such leadership might herald a radical departure from the Pentagon’s own initiatives regarding the modernization of the military’s culture and diversity improvement in ranks.
What will happen next?
Hegseth is likely to have a confusing confirmation process with strong voices from lawmakers supporting existing military policies. This debate will put his vision for the future of the U.S. military under the lenses of supporters and critics alike.
