New York mag highlights polarization around Pete Hegseth for DOD secretary

Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of Defense, faces skepticism in a New York piece. Hegseth, a former Army National Guard officer with deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Guantanamo Bay, brings firsthand military experience to the role; however, his transition from military officer to conservative media figure—most notably as a co-host on Fox & Friends—has prompted questions about his readiness to lead the Pentagon.

A prolific author, Hegseth’s books document his controversial stances on gender roles in the military, particularly his opposition to women in combat and his criticisms of diversity initiatives. He has argued that women’s presence in combat distracts male soldiers and undermines readiness, while his recent book, The War on Warriors, critiques what he sees as the military's "woke" culture. While these views have drawn significant backlash, supporters contend they reflect a commitment to combat effectiveness and traditional military values.

Hegseth’s skepticism toward military leadership accused of "wokeness" aligns with Trump’s broader agenda of reshaping the Pentagon's leadership. While his critics cite his lack of executive experience and polarizing rhetoric as disqualifications, his defenders view him as a reformer willing to challenge entrenched norms.