Fox News Obtains Pete Hegseth Military Evaluations

This time next week, we will have a new president and Trump’s cabinet will start to fill out.

Pete Hegseth has been one of the more polarizing nominees, but he has just received yet another boost thanks to Fox News.

Hegseth Challenges

I have not hidden my concerns about Hegseth, and I am far from alone on this front.

No, I am not worried about the sexual misconduct allegations because they were investigated, and no charges were ever filed. But this goes far deeper than just the non-charges. There is video evidence seen by police that negated the narrative of the alleged victim. For me, it was more about what put Hegseth into that position.

Hegseth has long had a reputation as someone who continued to live like a frat boy even during his professional career at Fox News, reportedly showing up for work hungover and stinking of booze. Now, I don’t know about you, but I want to learn more about this because he will be in charge of millions of troops and nearly $1 trillion annually.

That leads to my next concern, which is Hegseth’s experience. I am not downplaying his time in the service, but my concern is that he retired as a Major, so he has only ever been charged with leading about 200 troops. What does he have on his resume that would leave anyone to believe he is ready to step up and lead roughly three million troops all-in, as well as being able to manage this massive budget and fix all the issues we have, including the lack of control of assets?

Glowing Military Reports

As I stated above, I do not doubt for a second that Hegseth was a good soldier, with my concern being that he had not gradually worked his way up the ladder. This promotion would basically be taking him from a major to a full general, with no room for learning or failure.

But, at least he does have a strong military record behind him, as his evaluations were stellar, according to the Fox News report. For instance, Hegseth was charged with leading a 39-man Air Assault Infantry Rifle platoon while assigned to Guantánamo Bay, and his evaluation report called him “an incredibly talented, battle-proven leader."

It continued, "Having taken charge of his platoon mere days before deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, he effectively led his platoon through five months of combat. He planned and executed platoon operations ranging from air assault raids to the defense of a forward operating base (FOB)."

Other evaluations hinted that he was ready for far more responsibility, but again, this is a massive step. And don’t get me wrong, I want Hegseth to be successful, but I also want to hear his plans for more than ending DEI. More specifically, I want to know what he is going to do about the obvious leadership and training failings we have seen, and I want to know what he is going to do to get our books in order so we know what we have, where it is located, and how it is being used, including foreign aid, such as what we have given to Ukraine.

Ernst Flips

One of the biggest obstacles that Hegseth was going to have in the Senate just flipped, that being Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA).

Her major issue is sexual assault in the service, something that has just been brushed under the rug for decades. She has met with Hegseth, and his assurances to address this issue were enough to win her over.

When asked directly if she would be voting to confirm Hegseth, she responded, "I figured you would ask this, so yes, I will be supporting President Trump’s pick for secretary of defense, Pete Hegseth.”

The problem with confirmation hearings these days is the other side attacks while the home team gushes and defends, but few really ask the important questions. My fears have not yet been quelled on Hegseth, but it does look like he will be confirmed. I wish him the best, for all our sakes.