President-elect Donald Trump has nominated some unconventional people to his Cabinet, including Fox News host Pete Hegseth as secretary of defense. Washington Post Pentagon reporter Dan Lamothe and military researcher Katherine Kuzminski explain what the picks say about Trump's national security agenda. This episode was produced by Victoria Chamberlin and Peter Balonon-Rosen, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Rob Byers, and hosted by Noel King. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast Support Today, Explained by becoming a Vox Member today: http://www.vox.com/members Pete Hegseth during an Independence Day celebration on Fox & Friends Weekend in 2021. Photo by James Devaney/GC Images. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Donald Trump is picking his national security team quickly and his choices run the gamut.
There are respected normies like little Senator Marco Rubio for Secretary of State.
It's a tremendous honor to the president would place his confidence in me in a position of such importance.
Mike Walz, a China hawk and adviser to Dick Cheney, who Trump chose as his national security adviser, is the first Green Beret in Congress.
In our training, we have to learn multiple languages.
We have to blend in.
We have to specialize in certain parts of the world.
South Culture Warrior Immigration Hardliner RIP Cricket South Dakota Gov Kristi Noem arguably has the experience to lead Homeland security.
When Texas and Arizona asked for help, that sent my National Guard troops down there to help.
Then there are the provocative choices.
The weekend Fox News host Pete the fill in Fox News host Tulsi.
Are they prepared for this moment?
We're going to ask on Today.
Explain.
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