President-elect Donald Trump surprised political observers on Tuesday night by nominating Fox News personality Pete Hegseth as secretary of defense.
“Pete has dedicated his life as a warrior for our military and our country,” Trump, 78, said in a statement. “Pete is tough, smart, and a true believer in America First. With Pete in command, America's enemies will be on guard — our military will be great again and America will never back down.” Dew.”
Hegseth's selection is an unusual selection from a field that included Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), who worked closely with the Pentagon on defense legislation and had support from the military community. House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-Alabama); And former Democratic-turned-Republican Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii, like Hegseth, is a member of the Army National Guard.
Hegseth, who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, has been with the cable news giant since 2014, most recently co-hosting “Fox & Friends Weekend.”
“Pete Hegseth has been a prominent host on FOX & Friends and FOX Nation for nearly a decade and is a bestselling author on FOX News Books,” a FOX News spokesperson said in a statement. . “His insights and analysis, especially on the military, resonated with viewers and helped make the show the huge success it is today. We are extremely proud of his work at FOX News and are proud of his work in Washington. I wish him all the best.”
The 44-year-old was considered for the post of Secretary of Veterans Affairs after President Trump was elected in 2016, but the job ultimately went to David Shulkin.
This is a developing story. Check back for more updates.
