President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Fox News and former National Guard officer Pete Hegseth as his secretary of defense, a move that has been described as “beyond stupid.” Trump made the announcement on social media, praising Hegseth’s experience as a warrior for the troops and as a believer in America First. This appointment comes amid ongoing conflict in Ukraine and criticism of U.S. spending on the conflict. Hegseth has previously made bold comments criticizing Russian President Vladimir Putin, calling him a war criminal.
In a post on social media, an individual shared a clip from Fox News in which Hegseth called Putin a war criminal and criticized President Biden for not providing more support to Ukraine. Hegseth expressed concern about Putin’s tactics in targeting civilians and using ceasefires to reload and pick more targets. While Hegseth’s comments aligned with the claim that Putin was a war criminal, it is important to note that the clip shared online was from March 2022, shortly after the outbreak of the conflict. Since then, Hegseth has been more cautious in his criticisms of U.S. intervention in Ukraine and the potential for wider conflict.
In a podcast episode from November 2024, Hegseth expressed his belief that Putin’s actions in Ukraine were part of a strategy to reclaim what he sees as Russia’s territory rather than an indication of a desire for broader conflict. He defended Trump’s comments praising Putin as “savvy” and criticized the media for their coverage of the Russian leader. Hegseth has also questioned the billions of dollars spent by the U.S. in supporting Ukraine, suggesting that the country should focus on domestic issues instead. While these comments provide insight into Hegseth’s views on Ukraine and Putin, they do not offer a comprehensive understanding of his stance on the conflict.
Despite Hegseth’s previous criticisms of Putin and support for increased U.S. intervention in Ukraine, his recent comments suggest a shift in his priorities and attitudes toward the conflict. While he has acknowledged Putin’s aggressions, he has also downplayed the potential for wider conflict and defended Trump’s praise of the Russian leader. Hegseth’s nuanced perspective on the situation in Ukraine and his skepticism of U.S. involvement in the conflict highlight the complexities of foreign policy decisions and the need for a comprehensive understanding of the issues at hand. As such, his appointment as secretary of defense may spark further debate and scrutiny in the coming months.
