In Defense of Pete Hegseth

I don’t possess even a smidgen of John Noonan’s national security expertise, but I nevertheless wish to agree with his post here on the Corner regarding the nomination of Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense. From my perspective, Hegseth is a fine pick. I hope the Senate will agree.

As John notes, it’s rather churlish to describe Hegseth as merely “a guy on TV,” as so many commentators have. He went to Princeton and Harvard. He served in Iraq and Afghanistan, winning two bronze stars in the process. He has experience in private enterprise. He’s been a tireless advocate for veterans — and, better still, he’s been one of those tireless advocate for veterans whom veterans actually like. Sure, he’s now on TV. So is Michael Strahan. That doesn’t tell us much about his past.

As far as I can tell, Hegseth also has the right personal qualities for the role. I am just one voter — and this is just my one view — but, as someone who regularly spent time with Pete a few years ago when we did a TV show together, I will tell happily anyone who will listen that he is a smart, caring, curious, hard-working guy who treated everyone around him with respect. The news of this nomination was first presented to me alongside a dismissive “wow.” I do not share that sentiment. My reaction, instead, was “sure.” I haven’t seen or spoken to Pete for years, but, unless he’s turned into a different man in the interim, there’s nothing “wow” about this choice other than that it was unexpected.