The Take The US military’s MAGA makeover
Oct 2, 2025
Ben Makuch, a national security reporter, dives into the controversial changes spearheaded by Pete Hegseth, a Fox News anchor turned Secretary of Defense. They discuss Hegseth's push for an anti-woke military, including proposed bans on transgender troops and the effects of grooming standards on diversity. The podcast examines the implications of religious rhetoric intertwined with military policies and explores concerns about the military's readiness to confront civilians. Makuch highlights the mixed reactions within the military, raising critical questions about the ethics of using armed forces domestically.
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Public Dressing Down Of Senior Officers
- Pete Hegseth used a high-profile Quantico speech to rebuke senior officers and push a culture reset in the military.
- His rhetoric combined fitness, discipline and elimination of 'woke' policies to reshape military norms.
Grooming Rules Carry Racial Implications
- Hegseth targeted personal appearance rules, including beards and hair, as symbols of lax standards and culture change.
- Reinstating strict grooming can disproportionately affect Black and Brown troops who received medical shaving waivers.
Religious Rhetoric In Military Messaging
- Hegseth's public prayer and repeated biblical language have amplified concerns about Christian nationalism inside the Pentagon.
- His rhetoric ties military identity to religious imagery like crusades and 'warriors,' shifting institutional tone.
