Reuters: Trump nominates Fox News host Pete Hegseth to lead Pentagon

US President-elect Donald Trump has announced he has selected a new Secretary of Defense. Trump nominated American television presenter Pete Hegseth, 44, to the position of Pentagon chief, according to Reuters.

Pete Hegseth has expressed a cautious and skeptical stance on US involvement in aiding Ukraine amid Russia’s war. While he initially criticized Russia’s invasion and called for support to Kyiv, Hegseth has more recently downplayed the war’s importance for American interests. This position reportedly aligns with Trump’s “America First” foreign policy approach, signaling a shift in US aid for Ukraine if confirmed as Secretary of Defense.

“Pete is tough, smart, and a true believer in America First. With Pete at the helm, America’s enemies are on notice – our military will be great again, and America will never back down,” stated Trump.

Pete Hegseth previously served in Iraq and Afghanistan and graduated from the Harvard and Princeton universities.

In the past, he has criticized NATO allies for their “weaknesses,” stating that China is on the verge of dominating its neighbors.

“Outdated, outgunned, invaded, and impotent. Why should America, the European ’emergency contact number’ for the past century, listen to self-righteous and impotent nations asking us to honor outdated and one-sided defense arrangements they no longer live up to?” Hegseth wrote in his book.

He emphasized that NATO countries don’t want to pay for their defense and instead appeal to America for help.

In appearances on podcasts and television, he has said China is building a military “specifically dedicated to defeating the United States of America.”

During the same appearance, Hegseth said Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine appeared to be “Putin’s give-me-my-sh*t-back war.”

“If Ukraine can defend themselves … great, but I don’t want American intervention driving deep into Europe and making (Putin) feel like he’s so much on his heels,” Hegseth said.

Earlier, Trump selected South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem as the new Secretary of Homeland Security, as per CNN.

Noem had called US military aid to Ukraine an expensive strategic mistake that pushed Russia toward an alliance with China.

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