Opinions

My Colleague Pete Hegseth is Set to Transform Our Military



The nomination of Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense by President-elect Donald Trump has sparked significant discussion, with liberal critics questioning his credentials and leveraging “unnamed sources” to challenge his supposed past behavior.

However, Hegseth’s nomination represents an essential opportunity for our nation that we cannot overlook.

Having worked alongside Pete at Fox News for seven years, I firmly believe he is the right choice to restore sanity in our military.

In recent times, our armed forces have strayed off course, becoming entrapped in a relentless push towards wokeness—where decision-making is driven by social agendas rather than actual military effectiveness.

Our military should not be viewed as a social experiment.

Pete understands this reality as a soldier who has served on the front lines in Iraq and Afghanistan.

He recognizes what true leadership necessitates and the dangers that arise when such leadership loses focus on its core mission.

During a recent meeting with Sen. Joni Ernst, who is expected to be a crucial vote for his confirmation, he did not merely seek her backing—he articulated a clear vision of what our military needs to embody.

Following their discussion, Ernst, who is also a combat veteran, indicated her potential support.

This is encouraging news for our nation.

Pete wins people over not just through his charm (which he has in abundance) but through his substance.

He is dedicated to bringing back a sharp focus on military priorities, unafraid to confront the sacred cows of political correctness in the pursuit of this goal.

This is urgently needed.

As one might expect, his opponents have attempted to discredit him by dragging up parts of his history and twisting his statements.

Pete has mounted a strong defense: In an exclusive interview with my friend, Fox News host Sean Hannity, he rightly criticized the Democratic Party and the media for the trial by fire they are trying to orchestrate.

Let’s be clear: The media, largely acting as an arm of the Democratic Party, will misrepresent, attack, and misinterpret the statements of all of Trump’s nominees—not just Pete.

This polarization in our political landscape is regrettably inevitable.

But I trust Pete.

His integrity is unparalleled, and his dedication to our country is steadfast.

He is not pursuing this for a resume entry; he is committed to the mission of the US military and its fundamental role in safeguarding freedom worldwide.

This is why he has gained the endorsement of veterans and active-duty personnel, as well as his colleagues.

I’m not the only one at Fox who feels this way.

Far from it.

Fox News host Will Cain, a fellow veteran, recently stated it succinctly on his show: “Pete Hegseth is precisely what the Pentagon requires: A leader who values strength over appearances and results over rhetoric.”

Jesse Watters was equally direct on “Fox News Primetime”: “Hegseth possesses the fortitude to address what’s wrong and the experience to correct it.”

Kayleigh McEnany, former White House press secretary and current Fox News host, remarked on “Outnumbered,” “He stands resolute in his principles, unafraid to confront bureaucracy when it fails our service members.”

Brian Kilmeade shared his thoughts on “Fox & Friends.”

“Pete grasps the military’s mission better than anyone. He has firsthand experience leading, and he knows how to refocus us on what truly matters: strength and readiness.”

Laura Ingraham underscored the significance of Trump’s choice.

“Pete Hegseth isn’t merely a pick for Secretary of Defense—he’s the only choice if we wish to restore America’s reputation on the global stage,” she asserted.

All of this support stands strong against the typical—yet all too frequent—narratives pushed by liberal establishment media through “unnamed sources.”

The stakes are far too high to allow this nomination to be derailed by trivial politics or ideological posturing.

Pete is focused on dismantling the dysfunctional system; he’s dedicated to combating the wokeness that has infiltrated the military, redirecting efforts towards readiness, and making sure that our armed forces are equipped to handle real threats rather than fictitious challenges conceived in think tanks.

At a moment when global dangers are escalating—from an assertive China to an aggressive Russia—we require someone like Pete at the forefront.

The US Senate must confirm Pete Hegseth without delay.

This situation isn’t merely about filling a position; it’s about reinstating the integrity and robustness of our military.

To do anything less would be a disservice to those who serve—and to the nation they protect.

Gianno Caldwell is the founder of the Caldwell Institute for Public Safety and a political analyst at Fox News. Follow him on X: @GiannoCaldwell



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