Incoming US President Donald Trump is expected to nominate Pete Hegseth (44) as the Secretary of Defense of the United States.
Hegseth currently works for the television channel Fox News. He also has a background in the U.S. Army. The news agency Associated Press reports that Trump’s choice for Secretary of Defense shocks the Pentagon and the defense community in the U.S.
Hegseth has served at Guantánamo Bay, in Iraq, and Afghanistan, but has not held any top positions in the U.S. military.
– It is not a prerequisite for a Secretary of Defense to have a military background, so that alone is not strange. I am more concerned about what kind of viewpoints he has expressed, says chief researcher at the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI) and former Chief of Defence, Sverre Diesen, to Nettavisen.
– He has expressed viewpoints that I would characterize as quite extreme in this context, says Diesen.
Hegseth has been affiliated with Fox News since 2014. Initially, Diesen does not find it problematic that an American Secretary of Defense comes directly from the TV industry.
– Volodymyr Zelenskyy is also a TV personality, so that cannot be argued against on principle, he says.
EXTREME: Former Chief of Defence and retired General Sverre Diesen describes Pete Hegseth’s viewpoints as quite extreme.
Photo: Ole Berg-Rusten
Questions about women’s role in combat
Hegseth has made it clear that he opposes “woke” programs that promote equality and inclusion. He has also questioned women’s role in combat and has supported pardoning soldiers accused of war crimes, writes the Associated Press.
In an interview on the podcast “The Shawn Ryan Show,” Hegseth stated that allowing women to serve in combat undermines efforts to make the military more lethal.
– Everything about men and women serving together complicates the situation, and complications in combat mean that the losses are worse, said Hegseth on the podcast.
Associated Press quotes anonymous military sources stating that Trump’s choice of Secretary of Defense came as a bolt from the blue. Several sources the news agency has spoken with question whether Hegseth has the practical experience required to manage a large department with an enormous budget.
The U.S. Department of Defense has a budget of $800 billion.
Trump states in a statement that Hegseth is tough, smart, and a true supporter of “America First”.
– With Pete at the helm, America’s enemies will receive a warning – our military will be great again, and the U.S. will never retreat, the incoming president adds.
Hegseth is a co-host of the program “Fox & Friends Weekend” and has been affiliated with Fox News since 2014. Through his TV job, he has established a friendship with Trump, who has regularly appeared as a guest on the program.
Great-grandparents from Norway
In one episode of the program, Hegseth also spoke about his Norwegian ancestry. The DNA-based genealogy service MyHeritage revealed that he had 96.4 percent Scandinavian background, according to the company’s blog.
It was also revealed that Pete Hegseth’s great-grandparents were born in Norway. The couple settled in Minnesota.
The now 44-year-old war veteran has also written several books, especially related to themes like defense, patriotism, and conservative values.
All such nominations must be approved by the Senate. There, the Republicans hold a majority.
Time.news Interview: The Implications of Hegseth’s Nomination as Secretary of Defense
Editor: Welcome to Time.news. Today, we have a distinguished guest, Sverre Diesen, chief researcher at the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment and former Chief of Defence of Norway. Thank you for joining us, Sverre.
Diesen: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here.
Editor: Let’s dive right in. With President Trump’s nomination of Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense, the defense community seems to be in shock. Why do you think this is the case?
Diesen: There are several factors at play here. While it is true that military experience is not a prerequisite for the role, Hegseth’s nomination raised eyebrows primarily due to his extreme viewpoints, as I’ve stated previously. His expressed opinions seem out of sync with the evolving nature of modern military leadership, which increasingly values inclusivity and strategic thought.
Editor: On that note, Hegseth has been vocal about his opposition to “woke” programs promoting equality and has openly questioned the role of women in combat positions. How do you interpret these views?
Diesen: I see his viewpoints as quite extreme. Modern military success does not hinge on traditional notions of gender roles, but rather on the capability and performance of individuals, regardless of gender. His comments about women’s presence in combat potentially undermining military effectiveness are problematic and go against the evidence from multiple countries where female soldiers have served effectively in combat roles.
Editor: Speaking of military effectiveness, Hegseth has also supported pardoning soldiers accused of war crimes. What implications could this stance have for military ethics and accountability?
Diesen: This is a significant concern. Accountability is crucial for maintaining the moral high ground and trust in the military. Eroding these standards could have detrimental effects – not just on the military itself but also on international relationships and the perception of U.S. values abroad. Such stances risk setting a dangerous precedent that could encourage misconduct among troops.
Editor: You mentioned earlier that it’s not unusual for a Secretary of Defense to come from a non-military background, citing Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s rise from television to politics. What are the distinctions, though, between him and Hegseth?
Diesen: That’s a fair point. While Zelenskyy had a strong leadership platform and was seen as a unifying figure in Ukraine, Hegseth’s media presence has been more polarizing. The nature of the discourse he engages in on platforms such as Fox News tends to amplify division rather than foster collaboration, which is crucial for any military leader. We must differentiate between entertainment and effective leadership.
Editor: In your opinion, what are the most critical qualities a Secretary of Defense should possess in today’s geopolitical climate?
Diesen: A Secretary of Defense must be able to communicate effectively and unite diverse viewpoints within the military and government. They should uphold values of integrity, accountability, and adaptability. Navigating complex international relationships requires a blend of strategic thinking, empathy, and the ability to evolve with changing circumstances.
Editor: What are the direct implications for U.S. military policies should Hegseth’s nomination go through?
Diesen: If Hegseth is confirmed, we could see a shift towards more conservative and potentially controversial military policies, particularly surrounding gender integration and possibly a leniency toward controversial military actions. It may also send a message that aggressive rhetoric and extreme viewpoints are acceptable in national defense circles, which could impact recruitment and morale within the forces.
Editor: Thank you, Sverre. This conversation has shed light on some pressing concerns surrounding Hegseth’s nomination. As we continue to follow developments in U.S. defense policy, your insights will be invaluable.
Diesen: Thank you for having me. It’s crucial that we remain vigilant about the direction in which military policies are heading, considering their broader implications for global security and ethics.