DelDems Veterans Caucus, Pete Hegseth Is Unacceptable as Potential Secretary of Defense Nominee

The Delaware Democratic Party Veterans Caucus (the Caucus) finds the potential nomination of Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense to be unacceptable due to his history of religious extremism, divisive rhetoric, and lack of relevant high-level experience.

Selecting a Secretary of Defense is one of the most critical decisions for safeguarding national security and upholding democratic values. Pete Hegseth’s record and public statements raise significant doubts about his ability to lead the Department of Defense effectively and impartially.

Key concerns About his nomination  include:

1. Religious Extremism: Hegseth’s advocacy for imposing specific religious ideologies on public policy undermines the constitutional principle of separation of church and state. His views risk alienating service members and compromising the Pentagon’s role as a neutral and inclusive institution.
2. Disregard for the Rule of Law: Hegseth’s public rhetoric has often displayed a troubling disdain for legal norms and democratic principles. This raises questions about his commitment to upholding the rule of law in military operations and policy decisions.
3. Lack of Experience: Despite his media presence, Hegseth lacks the government or military leadership experience required to manage the complexities of the Department of Defense. The role demands seasoned judgment and expertise in both strategy and administration.
4. Recent Sexual Assault Allegations: Hegseth is alleged by an unnamed woman to have sexually assaulted her at a hotel in Monterey, CA, in 2017. Details in a related police report are troubling, to say the least. Given that sexual assault has been a very large problem in the military for many years, having a Secretary of Defense who is alleged to have committed sexual assault will potentially make this ongoing crisis worse.
5. Attacks on Women In the Military: Hegseth has frequently called for women to be excluded from combat roles, claiming that it’s “woke,” hurts readiness, and even that “women and men cannot behave professionally alongside each other.” Women have served in combat roles for years before the 2013 DoD policy change that permitted women to be assigned to combat roles; removing women from these roles or from the force altogether would hurt readiness. 

While we recognize that the President-elect may nominate whom he chooses, our nation needs a Secretary of Defense who demonstrates unwavering commitment to the rule of law, inclusivity, and the principles of our democracy. Mr. Hegseth’s record suggests he does not meet this standard. The President-elect must not place petty politics ahead of our nation’s security. 

The Caucus urges members of the United States Senate from both parties, each of whom has sworn an oath to support and defend the Constitution, to ensure that the next Secretary of Defense is a leader with proven experience, impartiality, and dedication to protecting all Americans.

Delaware Democratic Party Veterans Caucus
Jeffrey Quiggle, Chair