Trump’s defence choice of Fox News host stuns Pentagon

The news was met with bewilderment and worry among many in Washington, as Mr Trump bypassed a number of established national security heavy-hitters

Wed, 13 Nov, 2024 - 08:36

Lolita C Baldor and Tara Copp, AP

US President-elect Donald Trump has stunned the Pentagon and the broader defence world by nominating Fox News host Pete Hegseth to serve as his defence secretary, looking to someone largely inexperienced and untested on the global stage to take over the world’s largest and most powerful military.

The news was met with bewilderment and worry among many in Washington, as Mr Trump bypassed a number of established national security heavy-hitters in favour of an Army National Guard captain who is well-known in conservative circles as a co-host of Fox News Channel’s Fox & Friends Weekend.