Pete Hegseth: Who is Trump’s new defense secretary?

When Pete Hegseth was nominated for defense secretary last week, Washington thought the news was a bad joke. Some politicians had never heard of him. “Pete who?” asked Republican Senator Bill Cassidy when asked for comment. Others knew him as the face of the popular Fox News show “Fox & Friends,” which Hegseth hosted for eight years. But for most Americans, Pete Hegseth is simply “the man with the axe.” In 2015, the presenter became an internet phenomenon when he overshot the target during an ax throwing competition and hit a member of a military band in the arm.

Now Hegseth is back in the headlines. Criticism of his nomination is not only caused by the fact that the TV presenter has no government experience, but also by a number of uncomfortable revelations. The 44-year-old was accused of sexual assault a few years ago and his questionable tattoos have already caused a stir.

Ordinarily, these would be major obstacles on the way to the top of the Pentagon. But Donald Trump is firmly behind his candidate. The president-elect praised Hegseth as “tough, smart and a true defender of America First.” “With Pete at the helm, America’s enemies have been warned,” said Trump.