‘Who?’ Republican Senators React to Trump’s Nomination of Fox News Host as Secretary of Defense

AP Photo/Evan Vucci

Republican senators were shocked and bewildered by President-elect Donald Trump’s decision to nominate Fox News host Pete Hegseth as the next secretary of defense on Tuesday.

Asked for his thoughts on the nomination, Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) reportedly remarked, “Really? I’d have to think about it.”

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) reacted, “Wow… I’m just surprised because the names that I’ve heard for Secretary of Defense have not included him,” while Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) asked, “Who?”

Sen. Ted Budd (R-NC) was more optimistic about the nomination, calling Hegseth “an impressive individual.”

Trump announced in a statement on Tuesday that he had decided to nominate the Fox & Friends Weekend co-host as secretary of defense.

“I am honored to announce that I have nominated Pete Hegseth to serve in my Cabinet as The Secretary of Defense,” he wrote. “Pete has spent his entire life as a Warrior for the Troops, and for the Country. Pete is tough, smart and a true believer in America First. With Pete at the helm, America’s enemies are on notice – Our Military will be Great Again, and America will Never Back Down.”

Fox News congratulated Hegseth – who appeared in his last show for the network on Sunday – calling him “an exceptional host” and praising “his insights and analysis especially about the military.”

“We are extremely proud of his work at FOX News and wish him the best of luck in Washington,” the network concluded.