President-elect Donald Trump doubled down on his support for Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth on Thursday, dismissing rumors that he was considering alternative candidates.
Through a post on Truth Social, Trump shared an op-ed by New York Post columnist Miranda Devine, which defended Hegseth against mounting Democratic criticism and highlighted his qualifications as an “inspired choice” for the Pentagon.
In her column, Devine painted a glowing portrait of Hegseth, a combat veteran with two Bronze Stars and degrees from Princeton and Harvard. She described him as “intelligent, articulate, patriotic,” and the antidote to what she called the “woke poison” undermining military recruitment and morale.
According to Devine, Hegseth’s leadership is precisely what is needed to restore a dispirited military following what she described as the Biden administration’s mishandling of national security, from the Afghanistan withdrawal to broader issues like critical race theory infiltrating the armed forces.
Devine cited Hegseth’s writings and public statements as evidence of his readiness to enact sweeping reforms. She referenced his book, The War on Warriors, where he lambasted America’s “elites” for looking down on the very individuals who safeguard their peace and prosperity.
In a recent interview on The Shawn Ryan Show, Hegseth called for purging military leadership aligned with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and critical race theory (CRT), declaring, “Either you’re in for warfighting, and that’s the only litmus test we care about.”
Hegseth’s nomination has reportedly rattled the military-industrial complex and sparked backlash from establishment figures. Devine noted that defense contractors and their allies in Washington are uneasy about a Pentagon leader who prioritizes reform over maintaining the status quo.
Critics like John Bolton and Adam Kinzinger, both outspoken Trump detractors, have voiced their opposition, joining the chorus of Democrats who have attacked Hegseth’s qualifications and ideology.
Devine argued that the disdain for Hegseth among elites mirrors the broader disconnect that cost Democrats the presidency and control of Congress. She described criticism from figures like MSNBC’s Joy Reid as emblematic of a snobbish attitude that disregards the will of the electorate.
“The times they are a-changing,” Devine concluded, emphasizing Trump’s mandate to challenge entrenched power structures. For Trump, Hegseth represents more than a nominee; he is a signal of the administration’s commitment to transforming the military into a focused, disciplined force unencumbered by ideological distractions.
