Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for secretary of defense, has been vocal in his opposition to the renaming of US military bases that were previously dedicated to Confederate generals. Hegseth, a National Guard veteran and former Fox News host, has criticized the renaming efforts as eroding military tradition and being part of a politically motivated progressive agenda infiltrating American institutions.
Between 2022 and 2023, nine US military bases were renamed as a result of the National Defense Authorization Act, which was passed despite Trump's initial veto. Hegseth, if confirmed as secretary of defense, could advocate for reverting the base names back to their Confederate origins, although such changes would require congressional approval.
Hegseth has also expressed criticism towards other cultural shifts in the military, including the inclusion of women in combat roles and openly gay service members. He has been quoted as saying that these changes are detrimental to military readiness.
During his book tour in 2024, promoting 'The War on Warriors,' Hegseth reiterated his stance on renaming military bases, emphasizing the importance of legacy and tradition. He specifically mentioned Fort Bragg, which was renamed Fort Liberty in 2023, and called for changing it back to honor the generational link associated with the original name.
Trump has also been a staunch opponent of renaming bases honoring Confederate leaders, citing it as an attempt to erase history and dishonor the progress made in the country. Hegseth's views align with a broader opposition among incoming Trump officials to what they perceive as overly progressive cultural policies.
In interviews, Hegseth has criticized diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in the military, labeling them as 'woke crap' that should be removed. He has also softened his previous stances on openly gay troops and women in combat roles, although he remains critical of these policies.
Hegseth has accused retired Gen. Mark Milley of supporting renaming efforts for political reasons and questioned his past silence on the issue. His criticisms of Milley echo Trump's hostility towards the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Overall, Hegseth's opposition to renaming Confederate-named military bases reflects a broader conservative stance against what is perceived as progressive cultural changes within the US military.
