Trump names pro-Israel Fox News host as defence chief

Fox News host and military veteran Pete Hegseth has been picked by US president-elect Donald Trump to serve as defence secretary. 

The 44-year-old “Iran hawk” and vocal supporter of Israel, in his coverage and on social media, is set to lead one of the world’s most powerful militaries. Trump described him as “tough, smart, and a true believer in America First”. 

Hegseth has served as an infantry captain in the US Army in Afghanistan and Iraq. However, criticism has poured in over his lack of senior military and national security experience.  

The host of Fox and Friends Weekend and Fox Nation is also being criticised for, among other things, his defence for service members accused of war crimes. His lobbying led to two service members accused of murder being pardoned by the Trump government in 2019.   

Hegseth has also authored books, including the bestseller The War on Warriors, that Trump earlier lauded for revealing the “leftwing betrayal of our warriors”.

Now, amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Hegseth’s role will be crucial in the US’s approach toward geopolitics.

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