Mixed reactions have trailed the appointment of Pete Hegseth by President-elect Donald Trump as the US Defence Secretary, News About Nigeria reports.
Donald Trump nominated the 44-year-old Fox News host, who allegedly has no government experience to become his Secretary of Defense.
He stated, “With Pete at the helm, America’s enemies are on notice – Our Military will be Great Again, and America will Never Back Down. Nobody fights harder for the Troops, and Pete will be a courageous and patriotic champion of our ‘Peace through Strength policy”.
This move which will reportedly put Hegseth in charge of the world’s largest military and a $800 billion budget, does not sit well with some persons.
The appointment of ‘anti-woke’ firebrand Pete Hegseth has also drawn swift condemnation from Trump’s opponents in Washington, with one veterans’ advocate describing him as ‘undoubtedly the least qualified nominee for Defense Secretary in history’.
While some Republican lawmakers have maintained a muted response to the announcement, others pointed to his combat experience in Iraq and Afghanistan, where he served as a captain in the Army National Guard and won two Bronze Stars.
Hegseth co-hosts Fox & Friends Weekend and was said to have become friends with Trump during the president-elect’s regular appearances on the show.
Alongside his combat experience in Iraq and Afghanistan, Hegseth served overseas in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and was formerly head of the Concerned Veterans for America, a group backed by conservative billionaires Charles and David Koch.
He has tattoos on his body including crosses as well as the Latin phrases ‘Deus vult’, meaning ‘God wills it’, and ‘Ne desut virtus’, which translates as ‘Let valour not fail’.
The slogan ‘Deus vult’ is said to have originated in the 11th century as a rallying call for Catholics during the First Crusade.
Hegseth had previously stated, “I’ve got Deus Vult – God Wills It – which was the cry of the Crusaders, on my bicep.
“My entire pec is a Jerusalem cross. Israel, Christianity, and my faith are things I care deeply about”.
