Don’t be distracted by his cartoonishly adorned suits or slavish focus on imaginary enemies like “DEI.” President Trump’s choice of Pete Hegseth as secretary of Defense represents a dangerous precedent, and not only because Hegseth is uniquely inexperienced for the job. He is weak by design.
His opening acts prove it: Hegseth orchestrated unprecedented removals of top military leaders, including the first-ever firing of a Chairman of the Joint Chiefs and the military’s two most senior women. Perhaps even more alarming is his purge of the military services’ senior lawyers — general officers who understand their oath is to the Constitution, not to any individual.
Unlike Hegseth, Gen. C.Q. Brown and Admirals Lisa Franchetti and Linda Fagan rose to the highest-ranking jobs in the military — our nation’s most meritocratic institution — based on their accomplishments, competence and character. The fact that Brown is Black and Franchetti and Fagan female is a powerful symbol that our military leadership fully represents our modern fighting force, as well as a testament to their grit in aspiring to leadership with few, if any, role models.
Their service and accomplishments should serve as an inspiration to every American, sending the message that merit, courage and dedication matter, in stark contrast to the bitterness of cable news pundits and divisive social media voices.
Trump and Hegseth’s selection of retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Dan Caine to replace Brown as chairman is equally extraordinary. Caine lacks the four-star leadership experience not just traditionally expected but legally required for the role. Although Trump can waive these requirements and recall Caine to active duty, this would send a clear message: Decades of distinguished service and competency-based advancement mean nothing compared to political loyalty.
Was there really no capable currently serving four-star? And what does it mean for America’s most revered meritocracy when wearing a MAGA hat in violation of military regulations becomes the primary qualification for its highest position?
What I know from nearly a decade of working in the Pentagon alongside leaders, both civilians and military, is that meritocratic-based leadership actually does matter. Seasoned leaders arrive in senior positions with enough confidence in their experiences to encourage and embrace dissenting views. They intentionally seek out diverse opinions and identify equally accomplished peers to inform high-stakes deliberations. They make tough calls based on evidence. And they recognize that when a decision comes to their desk, if it were easy, someone far lower down would have already made it.
In the months ahead, Hegseth’s weakness will become glaring on the global stage, where he’ll likely continue to stumble through engagements with foreign partners. Here at home, service members who have dedicated their lives and careers to their country will see right through him. This creates a deeper threat: By installing a deliberately weak civilian leader, Hegseth’s paranoia imperils the very principle of civilian control of the military — a cornerstone of American democracy.
The most effective civilian oversight comes from leaders who complement military expertise, not undermine it. Together, civilian and military leadership should evaluate risks and make decisions that serve the nation’s interests. Hegseth’s purge of the military’s most accomplished generals and admirals betrays this vital partnership. On full display in front of today’s officers and enlisted troops, it degrades this essential partnership for a generation.
Finally, Hegseth’s planned cuts to the Department of Defense’s civilian workforce won’t make it more efficient either. Rather, it will shift many of these vital responsibilities to military members in the reserve components, who will be detailed to replace civilians in staff jobs. That assumes the money will be available to fund these backfills, as the current budget continuing resolution does not fund such replacements.
The remaining gaps would almost certainly be sourced from defense contractors, who also would need to be funded and would lack the deep familiarity with the complex policies and programs Department of Defense civilians currently have. The end result will be nothing less than a massive shift from tooth to tail, undermining operational military readiness of the reserves and national guard to replace today’s expert civilian workforce.
Hegseth’s impact will certainly outlast his tenure. By gutting the credibility of civilian oversight, he is shattering the military’s trust that civilian leaders — of any party — can rise above and put the nation’s security first.
While these wounds could be reversed under a different secretary with the temperament to engage experienced advisers on high-risk changes, that’s not why Hegseth was chosen. He wasn’t selected for courage, but for compliance.
Alex Wagner was assistant secretary of the Air Force for manpower and reserve affairs during the Biden administration. He was chief of staff to the secretary of the Army and served in multiple roles in the Office of the Secretary of Defense during the Obama administration.
