The Warning with Steve Schmidt Why Pete Hegseth Should Terrify America
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Dec 9, 2025 The discussion delves into a controversial speech by Pete Hegseth, critiquing his extremism and its implications for the U.S. military. Steve Schmidt highlights how Hegseth's actions and rhetoric disgrace the honor of service members. Historical warnings against totalitarianism and the politicization of the military draw parallels with Hegseth's dangerous narrative. The podcast argues that Reagan would have firmly opposed such divisive views, calling for a reevaluation of American identity and leadership in the face of troubling ideologies.
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Misrepresenting Military Sacrifice
- Steve Schmidt argues Pete Hegseth's Reagan Library speech misrepresents why Americans fought and died in past wars.
- Schmidt says those who died did so for the Constitution and the Union, not for a single religion.
Characterizing Unfitness For Command
- Steve Schmidt portrays Hegseth as unfit and dangerously paranoid for military leadership.
- He compares Hegseth's behavior to historical totalitarian tactics like polygraphs and purges.
Table Rant Example
- Steve Schmidt recounts Hegseth jumping on a table and yelling "kill all the Muslims" at colleagues.
- He uses this example to illustrate Hegseth's volatility and unsuitability for leadership.
