1. United States
2. Maine
3. Letter

The nomination of Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense raises grave concerns due to his alarming lack of qualifications and extremist ideology. Hegseth has no experience running a large organization or in national security, lacks understanding of global threats facing America, and rejects the crucial role of alliances like NATO. Alarmingly, he advocates for a politicized military purged of those he deems insufficiently loyal, wanting to ban women from combat roles and remove "cowardly generals." This mirrors the disastrous politicization of Russia's military which has proven ineffective and committed atrocities in Ukraine, while the non-politicized Ukrainian forces have performed admirably. Hegseth's focus is not on external threats but on declaring holy war against his perceived internal enemies - the left, Muslims, and immigrants - accusing them of seeking annihilation. As a Christian Reconstructionist, he believes Americans should be governed not by law or the Constitution, but by his interpretation of God's will. He has called for a "crusade" against fellow Americans who disagree with him, wanting to "make crusade great again." Confirming such an unqualified, extremist ideologue risks transforming the military into a tool for oppressing American citizens and undermining democracy itself. Rigorous Senate hearings must scrutinize Hegseth's alarming anti-qualifications and stated intention to wage holy war against his own people from atop the Defense Department. Approving this madman risks regime change and the unraveling of the republic. I insist thorough hearings take place to prevent this dire threat to national security and democratic governance.