Concerns Raised Over Defense Secretary's Qualifications and Agenda

Critics warn that the president's showmanship and the defense secretary's controversial past could lead the country into an unnecessary and costly war.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 2:18am

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A real estate developer turned showman has become president, and his former television host defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, is facing scrutiny over his qualifications and potential conflicts of interest. Hegseth's past includes accusations of sexual assault and concerns about his political leanings, raising questions about whether he is the right person to lead the military during a volatile international crisis. The administration's approach of projecting strength through machismo and spectacle rather than sober discipline is worrying many, who fear the country is being led into an unprovoked and illegal war whose purpose is unclear.

Why it matters

The rise of an unqualified and potentially compromised defense secretary during a time of international tension raises serious concerns about the administration's decision-making process and whether the country's interests are truly being served. There are questions about whether the confrontation with Iran is driven more by the priorities of foreign leaders like Benjamin Netanyahu than American strategic needs, which could lead to an unnecessary and costly war.

The details

Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News personality, has been appointed as the defense secretary, despite his lack of experience in national security and his controversial past. In 2017, he was accused of sexual assault, later settling the case out of court. Critics have described him as "a white Christian nationalist with the arsenal of the United States government at his disposal and a permission slip from President Trump to deploy carnage wherever he wishes against whomever he wishes." The administration's approach of projecting strength through machismo and spectacle rather than sober discipline is seen as reckless, with concerns that the country is being led into a war whose purpose is unclear.

  • In 2017, Hegseth was accused of sexual assault.
  • The first week of Trump's Iran war cost American taxpayers $11.3 billion.

The players

Pete Hegseth

A former Fox News personality who has been appointed as the defense secretary, despite his lack of experience in national security and his controversial past, including accusations of sexual assault.

Donald Trump

The president, a real estate developer turned showman, who has appointed Hegseth to lead the Department of Defense.

Benjamin Netanyahu

The Israeli prime minister, whose priorities some believe are driving the confrontation with Iran more than American strategic needs.

Janessa Goldbeck

The chief executive of the Vet Voice Foundation, a nonprofit veterans' advocacy group, who has described Hegseth as "unequivocally the least qualified person who ever led the Department of Defense" and a "very dangerous person."

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What they’re saying

“Hegseth is 'unequivocally the least qualified person who ever led the Department of Defense', and warned that he is 'a very dangerous person... a white Christian nationalist with the arsenal of the United States government at his disposal and a permission slip from President Trump to deploy carnage wherever he wishes against whomever he wishes.'”

— Janessa Goldbeck, Chief Executive, Vet Voice Foundation (freepress.org)

What’s next

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The takeaway

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