A war criminal is Donald Trump’s pick to head the Defense Department
Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump’s controversial nominee for Defense Secretary, embodies a profound shift from early condemnation of war crimes to staunch defense of soldiers accused of them. As a young Army officer in Iraq in 2006, Hegseth unequivocally labeled atrocities such as the execution of prisoners and civilian shootings as indefensible. Yet, in later years, he portrayed convicted service members as heroes and decried the military’s prosecution of war crimes as a betrayal of its troops.
Hegseth’s controversial history extends beyond his military career. Allegations of sexual assault, concerns about extremist affiliations, and his polarizing views on military roles, including opposition to women in combat, have sparked bipartisan skepticism of his qualifications to lead the Defense Department. His tenure as a Fox News commentator amplified culture wars and war crime defenses, further politicizing his candidacy.
Whether his nomination proceeds or falters, Hegseth’s trajectory underscores the enduring consequences of America’s post-9/11 wars on those tasked with waging them.
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