What Next | Daily News and Analysis The War Over Pete Hegseth
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May 12, 2025 Tom Bowman, a seasoned Pentagon reporter for NPR with 28 years of military coverage, delves into the controversial tenure of Pete Hegseth. He discusses Hegseth's inexperience, the chaos unfolding at the Pentagon, and how he prioritizes 'fighting wokeness' over military effectiveness. The conversation highlights issues like contentious firings of military leaders, biases in decision-making, and concerns over Hegseth's handling of sensitive information. Bowman's insights reveal the profound implications of Hegseth's leadership on military readiness and policy.
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Hegseth's Lack of Experience
- Pete Hegseth is by far the least experienced Secretary of Defense in history, lacking the extensive military or governmental background typical of his predecessors.
- This lack of experience has led to questions about his capability to effectively run such a complex department.
Focus on "Ending Wokeness"
- Hegseth aims to end wokeness and diversity efforts to increase military lethality, despite the military already being highly capable.
- This ideological focus prioritizes political goals over operational effectiveness, provoking concern among veterans.
Firing High-Ranking Officers Over Identity
- Hegseth has fired senior inclusivity milestone officers including General C.Q. Brown and Admiral Lisa Franchetti, questioning their qualifications based on race and gender.
- These terminations deepen concerns about politicizing command appointments over merit.