Will Pete Hegseth be a ‘disruptor’ for the right reasons – or the wrong ones?
Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News presenter, was questioned in a committee hearing this week over his suitability to become Donald Trump’s defence secretary, and is believed to have “sailed through” the proceedings.
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In brief…
- Pete Hegseth was questioned on sexual assault allegations, which he denies, and comments about women in the military by Republicans and Democrats.
- Emily Maitlis says the “eyebrow-raising” nominee intends to “overhaul” and “de-woke” the US military.
- Republican Michael Dubke says his appointment is a key part of Trump’s intention to “disrupt” US politics during his second term in office.
What’s the story?
Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump's nomination for his defence secretary, was this week publicly grilled on his suitability for the role, facing questions including allegations of sexual assault made against him.
At a hearing in front of the US Senate's Armed Services Committee, Hegseth was also questioned on comments made about the role of women in the military and concerns over his lack of experience in financial management. The US defence department has a budget of $849 billion (£695 million), which he will be responsible for.
Hegseth has denied the sexual assault allegations, but his lawyer has said money was paid to "stay quiet" about the incident.
Despite extreme doubt from Democrats, the military veteran and former TV news anchor has the support of the entire Republican Party to take the role, regardless of his lack of experience.
Among many of Trump's controversial picks for his administration, Emily Maitlis describes the Hegseth nomination as the "most eyebrow-raising". He is a former army veteran turned Fox News TV presenter, who is now set to take on one of the most important jobs in America.
“Hegseth has essentially remodelled himself, and cast himself as a change agent,” Emily says.
She says the overall sense from the hearing is that Hegseth has “sailed through” this process, and will take up the role when Trump’s administration begins.
Will Trump lead America, or disrupt it?
Michael Dubke, former White House Communications Director for Donald Trump says Hegseth adds to the sense of “disruption” the next president aims to bring to US politics.
He says previous, more experienced defence secretaries have resulted in a US military which is now "less lethal" than it once was, and is not "in tune" with 21st century warfare.
Giving the role to someone more qualified than Hegseth would, Dubke adds, result in a "been there, done that" situation.
"I think we can agree that what the United States experienced in November of 2024 was a disruption election, and Donald Trump has nominated disruptors to be Secretaries of multiple agencies, not just the department of defence, but including interior and energy and other places," he says.
Americans, he adds, have been unhappy with the "wokeness" of the US military. He says this has lowered the requirements for people to reach certain ranks.
He believes that senior military roles should be given to people that "meet the standards" required for the job at hand – whether they are male or female, and Hegseth's appointment will be a "different way of looking and organising from the top down".
The message sent in appointing Hegseth, and many other key roles in Trump's new administration, Duke says, is one of "disruption".
"Donald Trump is outside the norm," he says.
"So I actually question why we think that he would be nominating the same old, same old given the fact that that's not how he ran for the White House.
"He learned a lot in the first administration that he ran."
Why was the support of Joni Ernst so crucial?
The support of Republican Iowa senator Joni Ernst was a key moment, as a former army colonel herself – and one who has her own experience of sexual harassment in the US military. She joined her party in its support for Hegseth.
"Her questions were very pointed," Duke says.
"It was obvious she had had personal meetings with Hegseth and had already asked him these questions about setting up a sexual harassment tribunal.
"When she calmly went through her questions, it was very clear that this nomination is going to be headed to a full Senate vote."
Questions have been raised about Trump's second term and whether Republicans would face repercussions from the new president if they oppose his plans. Dubke does not believe Ernst was simply falling in line with her party on this matter.
"She was a colonel in the United States military," he says.
"I do not think she is a shrinking violet, nor wilts to pressure."
“She must have gotten the answers that she wanted in her private meetings with Hegseth to allow her to have the type of hearing yesterday that she had, and later in the day, she said she's going to vote for his nomination."