Eduardo Sifuentes
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Pete Hegseth officially took the reins as the nation’s new Secretary of Defense on Saturday, following a dramatic tie-breaking vote cast by Vice President JD Vance. Despite fierce resistance from establishment Republicans, Hegseth now leads the Pentagon, promising to steer the military away from “woke policies” and back toward merit-based excellence.
The Senate confirmation vote on Friday night was razor-thin, with opposition not only from Democrats but also from three prominent GOP senators: Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, and Susan Collins of Maine. These Republican dissenters cited concerns over Hegseth’s lack of traditional defense industry credentials.
“Managing the Department of Defense requires vast experience and expertise,” Murkowski posted on X. “Hegseth’s career doesn’t show he’s ready for such immense responsibility.”
Breaking the Mold with a Non-Traditional Resume
Critics argue that Hegseth lacks conventional qualifications. While he boasts a Princeton and Harvard education, more than a decade in the U.S. Army infantry, and the rank of major after tours in Afghanistan, he never transitioned into defense contracting or corporate leadership.
Unlike previous Defense Secretaries, such as Trump’s Mark Esper, who joined Raytheon and built a corporate-heavy resume, Hegseth has focused his post-military career on advocacy, writing, and television commentary.
During his Senate confirmation, Hegseth vowed to uproot what he described as a “pervasive woke agenda” infiltrating the military. His supporters praised his outspoken criticism of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, which he claims undermine merit-based performance.
“Hegseth is qualified precisely because he doesn’t come from the swamp of corporate groupthink that weakened our military under the guise of inclusion,” said a senior Trump administration official.
Resistance Within the GOP Ranks
The resistance from McConnell, Murkowski, and Collins reflects a lingering divide within the Republican Party. These senators favored candidates with corporate or bureaucratic experience, like Esper, who secured 90 Senate votes in 2019.
However, critics argue that establishment Republicans turned a blind eye to the creeping influence of progressive policies during their tenures.
“This is the gentle cowardice of the old GOP,” said one conservative commentator. “They feared being called names by the left and allowed wokeness to fester in our military institutions.”
Hegseth’s backers argue that his outsider status gives him the independence needed to make bold changes. His appointment marks a decisive break from what they see as an era of “gentle compromise” that prioritized optics over effectiveness.
A Culture War Battle at the Pentagon
Hegseth’s supporters see his appointment as a critical step in reversing policies they view as harmful to military effectiveness. Trump’s base elected him with a clear mandate to oppose cultural shifts that promote political correctness over readiness and lethality.
“America voted for a military that wins wars, not one focused on DEI training,” a conservative strategist said.
Hegseth’s critics, however, warn of potential pitfalls. They argue that his lack of administrative experience may leave him unprepared for the immense bureaucratic challenges of running the Department of Defense.
“If he’s in over his head, we’ll find out quickly,” one Republican senator said. “But with Biden’s Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, MIA for days during crises, the bar isn’t exactly high.”
Elections Have Consequences
Hegseth has vowed to fulfill Trump’s vision for a stronger, more focused military. His confirmation marks a turning point for a Pentagon grappling with cultural shifts and questions about its priorities.
“We’re here to rebuild,” Hegseth said during his swearing-in ceremony. “The mission is to restore merit, fairness, and excellence to the military. America deserves nothing less.”
Vice President JD Vance, who cast the decisive vote, echoed these sentiments. “This is about putting America first. Pete Hegseth is the right man for the job.”
As the Department of Defense embarks on this new chapter, the stakes are high. For supporters, Hegseth represents the change they’ve long demanded. For critics, his tenure will be a test of whether bold rhetoric can translate into effective governance.
