Military officers have expressed deep concern over President-elect Donald Trump’s choice for Secretary of Defense, Fox News contributor Pete Hegseth, fearing his leadership could erode key principles of military conduct. According to an NBC News report, some believe Hegseth’s rhetoric and actions might embolden U.S. troops to commit war crimes without accountability.
Hegseth’s nomination has already faced significant scrutiny due to allegations of sexual assault and problem drinking. His vocal support for pardoning servicemembers accused or convicted of war crimes has only amplified criticism. Hegseth has previously advocated for using the military to suppress “domestic enemies” and personally lobbied Trump to pardon servicemembers accused of serious crimes.
Current and former military officers worry Hegseth’s past actions could undermine the military’s legal and ethical standards. “A current U.S. military officer who asked not to be named said Hegseth’s stance ‘should be disqualifying,'” reported NBC News.
Retired Army Maj. Gen. Paul Eaton echoed these concerns, stating, “He condoned murder and execution. That will create a stunning problem for every senior noncommissioned officer out there, every leader down to the squad leader.”
Hegseth was instrumental in securing pardons for servicemembers involved in controversial cases, including:
- Lt. Clint Lorance, convicted of murdering two Afghan civilians his own soldiers testified was not a threat.
- Maj. Matthew Golsteyn, was accused of killing an unarmed Afghan civilian he claimed was manufacturing bombs for the Taliban.
- Navy SEAL Eddie Gallagher, was acquitted of murder charges but convicted for posing in a photo with the corpse of a teenage ISIS prisoner.
Despite these actions, Hegseth has sought to reassure lawmakers of his commitment to military law. “In recent meetings with Republican senators, Hegseth has told lawmakers he has no intention of discarding the Geneva Conventions or the U.S. military legal code,” NBC News reported.
However, Hegseth’s previous statements cast doubt on his assurances. In his book, The War on Warriors, he dismissed the Geneva Conventions, claiming troops “should not fight by rules written by dignified men in mahogany rooms eighty years ago.”
The conflicting messages have left many questioning whether Hegseth can uphold the ethical standards that define the U.S. military, raising concerns about the implications of his leadership if confirmed.