Mike Huckabee, the former governor of Arkansas and newly appointed U.S. ambassador to Israel, expressed strong support for President-elect Donald Trump’s selection of Pete Hegseth to lead the Department of Defense (DOD). In a Friday appearance on NewsMax’s Rob Schmitt Tonight, Huckabee praised Hegseth’s potential to bring much-needed change to the DOD, particularly in the areas of recruitment and leadership.
Huckabee criticized the current focus on diversity and inclusion efforts within the military, suggesting that these initiatives have led to a decline in recruitment numbers. He argued that the military should be a meritocracy, not a “social experiment.” Huckabee believes Hegseth, a Fox News host and Army National Guard officer, could reverse this trend and help boost enlistment, which he noted is currently at an all-time low.
“He’s going to be just as disruptive, which needs to happen at the DOD,” Huckabee said. “They’ve been so focused on being woke and being diverse that nobody wants to join them.”
The former governor went on to express hope that Hegseth would remove individuals who were appointed to military positions based on political alignment rather than military capability. He also voiced support for Trump’s broader strategy of selecting leaders who are willing to challenge the status quo within government agencies.
While Huckabee’s praise for Hegseth’s appointment aligns with some lawmakers’ views, others have expressed concern about the Fox News personality’s lack of military leadership experience and the resurfacing of sexual assault allegations against him. Despite these concerns, Huckabee and others continue to emphasize the need for “disruptive” leaders who prioritize the country’s interests over political agendas.
“I’m thrilled with these appointments so far,” Huckabee said, also referencing Rep. Matt Gaetz’s (R-Fla.) selection for attorney general. “These are not people who go in just to oil the machinery that’s already running. They want to make serious, positive changes.”
