Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for Secretary of Defense, has been criticized for his previous statements on allowing gay people to serve openly in the US military. Hegseth has argued that repealing the “don’t ask, don’t tell” (DADT) policy, which allowed gay and lesbian service members to serve without fear of discrimination, was a “gateway” to broader cultural changes that have undermined military cohesion and effectiveness.
In his 2024 book “The War on Warriors,” Hegseth described the repeal of DADT as a “breach in the wire” that opened the door for more radical changes in the military. He also argued that allowing women to serve in combat roles and transgender individuals to serve openly are examples of “social justice tinkering” that have eroded military standards.
Hegseth has made similar comments on Fox News and other media outlets, claiming that these policies have undermined the military’s focus on warfighting and are driven by a desire to promote social engineering over national security.
However, in a recent interview with CNN, Hegseth appeared to walk back his previous comments, saying he does not oppose the repeal of DADT. A Trump transition spokesperson declined to comment on whether Hegseth would reinstate DADT or implement changes to current standards, but said that the president-elect wants to focus on making the military the world’s strongest fighting force.
Despite Hegseth’s recent comments, his previous statements have raised concerns among LGBTQ+ advocates and Democrats. The repeal of DADT was widely supported by both parties and was seen as a step towards greater equality and inclusivity in the military.
