Pete Hegseth was confirmed as Defense Secretary by the Senate Friday night, in a close 51-50 vote, with Vice President JD Vance breaking the tie, stepping into a leadership role at the Pentagon during a tumultuous global climate. We can only hope he’s ready for the challenges ahead.

I’m conflicted about Hegseth. He is well-educated, patriotic, and appears dedicated to removing weakness and “wokeness” from our military, which boasts an $850 billion budget and 3.3 million personnel.

However, concerns linger about his character, as he’s faced allegations of sexual assault, domestic abuse, and inappropriate behavior while on duty.

I wish Trump had appointed a more qualified veteran who does not come with a cloud of scandals, but that was not the case.

Hegseth has both strengths and significant drawbacks

Hegseth is a 20-year veteran of the Army National Guard, an author, and a cable television personality. He is an alumnus of Harvard and Princeton, loves his country, and has earned two Bronze Stars for his military service.

At his Senate confirmation hearing last week, Hegseth reiterated his commitment to eliminating “wokeness” from the military and restoring a “warrior culture.” While these initiatives are necessary, the specifics of their implementation will be challenging to define.

I share his controversial stance that limits should be placed on women’s roles in frontline combat positions.

“My focus is on warfighting, effectiveness, standards, and preparedness. That’s my mission,” Hegseth stated during his opening remarks to the Senate Armed Services Committee on January 14. So far, so good.

However, Democratic senators worked to reveal a different aspect of Hegseth, who previously hosted “Fox & Friends Weekend.” They questioned him about allegations of sexual assault and excessive workplace drinking. A former sister-in-law recently filed an affidavit stating he was abusive toward his ex-wife, which Hegseth has denied.

Nevertheless, Hegseth’s confirmation moved forward, and he even received backing from Iowa Republican Senator Joni Ernst, a veteran and survivor of sexual assault and domestic violence, who was initially seen as potentially opposing his confirmation.

The world is especially perilous right now

I want to support Hegseth. He has a zeal for defending the U.S. and firsthand military experience.

Yet, as Medal of Honor recipient Army Staff Sgt. David Bellavia stated in a widely-shared 2019 speech at the Pentagon, “the military should not be confused with a cable news talk show.” Bellavia knows this well; he earned the Silver Star in 2004 during the Second Battle of Fallujah and received the Medal of Honor from Trump in 2019.

It’s quite ironic that Trump would choose a former talk show host as Defense Secretary shortly after that.

The U.S. military has become “a finely-tuned machine of lethal capabilities that you would be wise to steer clear of if you value your life,” Bellavia noted.

I truly hope he’s correct, especially given the current tumultuous global landscape.

In a recent discussion, Ian Bremmer, president of the Eurasia Group, stated, “I believe we are experiencing the most perilous geopolitical period since the 1930s, before World War II, or the early Cold War, prior to the Cuban missile crisis. In this environment, the strong act without restraint, while the weak are left to suffer.”

We see the real implications of this in the horrific conflicts occurring in Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.

Fortunately, Bremmer also indicated that the United States currently holds a strong position: “The U.S. is significantly stronger politically, economically, technologically, and militarily than all its allies.”

But we must remain watchful. As technology advances, particularly in AI and drone warfare, it’s crucial for the United States to maintain its technological edge. Trump, Hegseth, and Congress need to be unwavering in their commitment to ensuring that