"Presidents have always sent people to lead the Pentagon who respect the institutions and personnel of the armed forces, not least because Americans tend to bristle at any sign that an administration does not unreservedly support the men and women of the U.S. military. (Just ask Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, both of whom were castigated for such supposed disrespect.) In his first term, Donald Trump sent General James Mattis, a veteran of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan,"
"But this time, the president found a perfect instrument of destruction to send across the Potomac: Pete Hegseth, a Trump sycophant who served in the military, topped out at the mid-level rank of major, and left full of bitterness and resentment toward a military establishment that clearly didn't value his brilliance and fortitude. The halls of the Pentagon are apparently strewn with rakes these days,"
Presidential practice favors appointing defense leaders who respect the military's institutions and personnel. Donald Trump previously appointed experienced defense professionals James Mattis and Mark Esper. Pete Hegseth is a Trump loyalist who served to the rank of major and departed the military feeling bitter about being undervalued. Hegseth has generated internal conflict through security blunders, confrontations with the press, and public complaints about others' decorations. He summoned more than 800 senior officers for a long, contentious address. An allegation exists that, in September, Hegseth ordered the killing of survivors of a first strike against what the administration calls terrorist-controlled drug boats.
Read at The Atlantic
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