Military officers express worries that Hegseth may overlook U.S. war crimes, raising ethical concerns.
Washington: So, there’s this buzz around Pete Hegseth, Trump’s pick for defense secretary. He’s been pretty vocal on Fox News about how U.S. troops are held back by too many rules in combat. He’s served in Iraq and Afghanistan, and he thinks our soldiers are too constrained when facing enemies who don’t play by the rules.
In his book, he talks about how these rules make soldiers second-guess themselves. He’s all about supporting the troops and wants to see them fight without those restrictions. But now, as he heads into his Senate confirmation hearing, he’s facing some serious questions about his past, including allegations of misconduct.
Some military folks are really worried about his views on war crimes. They think his strong opinions on protecting service members accused of crimes could mess with the military’s core values. One officer even said his stance should disqualify him from the position.
Retired Army Major General Paul Eaton chimed in, saying Hegseth’s past support for soldiers accused of serious crimes could create big issues for military leadership. He’s worried it could lead to a culture where misconduct is overlooked.
Hegseth’s lawyer argues that he’s just trying to point out how the rules of engagement are too strict, not that he’s against following the law. He believes the way these rules are interpreted can be overly limiting for troops in the field.
Military training emphasizes the importance of lawful conduct in battle. Officers say it’s crucial for maintaining discipline and ensuring troops focus on their missions, not on committing crimes. If soldiers start ignoring these rules, it could put everyone at risk, especially if they’re captured.
Gary Solis, a Marine vet, stressed that there need to be limits on how soldiers conduct themselves. Otherwise, it could lead to chaos and violence that mirrors what they’re fighting against.
Hegseth has also stirred the pot by questioning the relevance of the Geneva Conventions in modern warfare. He’s been trying to reassure lawmakers that he doesn’t want to toss them out but thinks they might need an update to fit today’s challenges.
He’s been vocal about how the rules of engagement can be too cautious, and he’s even criticized international law. In his book, he suggests that U.S. troops shouldn’t be bound by rules made decades ago.
During Trump’s presidency, Hegseth gained attention for advocating for service members accused of war crimes. He helped persuade Trump to pardon some of them, arguing they were treated unfairly. But this raised eyebrows among military leaders who felt it undermined the justice system.
Experts worry that Hegseth’s views could confuse service members about what’s expected of them. They stress the importance of upholding military codes to maintain integrity and effectiveness in combat.
In the end, it’s a tricky situation. Hegseth’s rhetoric could lead to uncertainty among troops about their responsibilities and the consequences of misconduct. It’s a conversation that’s definitely worth having as he moves forward in his confirmation process.
