Washington's military establishment is in shock.
Here's why:
Donald Trump has chosen 44-year-old Pete Hegseth, a Fox News host and Army veteran, to lead the world's most powerful military.
The selection, which caught even Trump insiders off guard, reflects the president-elect's preference for loyalty and media savvy over traditional military leadership experience.
Hegseth's journey from Princeton and Harvard graduate to potential Pentagon chief traces an unusual path through military service, media prominence, and political influence. He served in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Cuba with the National Guard, earning two Bronze Stars before transitioning to television, where he became a prominent voice on Fox News and a trusted Trump confidant.
As Fox & Friends Weekend co-host since 2017, Hegseth has used his platform to advocate for controversial positions that align closely with Trump's vision. He's been an outspoken critic of what he calls "woke" military policies, strongly opposing women in combat roles and diversity initiatives in the armed forces. "It hasn't made us more effective," he's stated plainly about women in combat, calling for a return to 1995 military standards.
His influence with Trump was evident during the former president's first term, when Hegseth privately advocated for – and successfully secured – pardons for service members accused of war crimes, despite opposition from military leadership. This willingness to challenge military orthodoxy has made him both admired and feared within defense circles.
The nomination has received mixed reactions on Capitol Hill, where Senate Republicans will need to confirm him. "Wow," remarked Senator Lisa Murkowski, while others have been cautiously noncommittal. Pentagon officials are reportedly "simply shocked," with one former Trump official expecting significant opposition to his confirmation.
Personal controversies have also followed Hegseth. He claims he was removed from Biden's inauguration duty in 2021 over a Jerusalem cross tattoo that leadership deemed extremist, though this account remains disputed. Now living in Tennessee with his wife and seven children, Hegseth represents a dramatic departure from traditional Defense Secretary profiles.
If confirmed, Hegseth will face immediate challenges managing America's military involvement in global conflicts, from Israel's campaign in Gaza to Ukraine's fight against Russian invasion. He'll be tasked with implementing Trump's "America First" doctrine while overseeing a Pentagon that has historically resisted some of Trump's more controversial directives.
Many see his selection as a clear signal of Trump's intent to remake the military in his image, prioritizing loyalty and ideological alignment over traditional qualifications.
As one Trump insider simply put it: "Trump also thinks he has the look" (Whatever that means).
Whether that look will translate into effective leadership of America's military remains one of Washington's most pressing questions.
Trump defended the choice, emphasizing Hegseth's loyalty: "Pete is tough, smart, and a true believer in America First. With Pete at the helm, America's enemies should take notice - our military will be great again, and we will never back down."
CNN and BBC contributed to this profile.
