Podcast Summary: In The Dark – "Donald Trump, Pete Hegseth, and the Future of American War-Crimes Prosecutions"
Episode Overview
In The Dark, hosted by Madeleine Barron and Parker Yesko of The New Yorker, delves into the controversial nomination of Pete Hegseth by incoming President Donald Trump for the position of Secretary of Defense. The episode scrutinizes Hegseth’s past actions, his stance on war crimes prosecutions, and the potential ramifications his appointment could have on the accountability of American military personnel accused of war crimes.
1. Introduction
The episode opens with Madeleine Barron and Parker Yesko addressing recent news concerning Donald Trump's nomination of Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense. They establish the relevance of this appointment by linking it to previous investigations from season three, which highlighted the challenges in prosecuting war crimes committed by American service members.
Key Points:
- Hegseth's nomination raises concerns about diminishing accountability for war crimes in the U.S.
- The hosts reference their extensive reporting on the difficulty of prosecuting such cases, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of Hegseth's potential impact.
2. Background on Pete Hegseth
Barron and Yesko provide a comprehensive background on Pete Hegseth, outlining his career trajectory and highlighting his lack of traditional government experience.
Key Points:
- Hegseth is a 44-year-old Princeton alumnus, former Fox & Friends co-host, and a Minnesota National Guard officer with deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Guantanamo Bay.
- Notable incidents include a 2015 viral moment where Hegseth accidentally struck a West Point drummer with an axe on live television (03:15).
- Controversies surrounding Hegseth’s tattoos, alleged white supremacist symbols, and a 2017 sexual assault allegation, which he denies, though he acknowledged compensating the accuser (04:00).
3. Hegseth's Views on War Crimes
The discussion shifts to Hegseth's outspoken defense of Americans accused of war crimes, emphasizing his efforts to prevent accountability for such actions.
Notable Quotes:
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Hegseth (06:05): “First of all, I can’t stand that headline, accused of war crimes. These are men who went into the most dangerous places on earth with a job to defend us and made tough calls on a moment's notice. They’re not war criminals. They’re warriors who have now been accused of certain things that are under review.”
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Hegseth (06:22): Criticizes the prosecution of service members, portraying them as unjustly persecuted.
4. Specific Cases Advocated by Hegseth
Barron and Yesko delve into three high-profile cases of American service members accused or convicted of war crimes, all of whom Hegseth has advocated for pardons.
a. Navy SEAL Chief Eddie Gallagher
- Charges: Murder and attempted murder for allegedly stabbing a teenage captive, Khalid Jamal Abdullah (09:31).
- Evidence: Testimonies from platoon members accusing Gallagher of multiple war crimes, including killing civilians (10:44).
- Hegseth’s Stance: Labeling Gallagher a war hero and featuring him prominently on Fox & Friends.
b. Green Beret Matthew Goldstein
- Charges: Premeditated murder for killing a detainee involved in a Taliban bomb plot without sufficient evidence (08:31).
- Hegseth’s Stance: Downplaying the severity of Goldstein’s actions, framing them as routine military operations.
c. Army Lieutenant Clint Lorance
- Charges: Two counts of murder for ordering the shooting of unarmed men on motorcycles in Afghanistan (12:08).
- Evidence: Distress among Lorance’s platoon members and multiple reports to the chain of command.
- Hegseth’s Stance: Advocating for Lorance's pardon, emphasizing the soldiers' heroism over their alleged crimes.
5. Hegseth's Ideology and Publications
The hosts examine Hegseth's book, War on Warriors, which elucidates his belief in a "leftist takeover" of the military and his advocacy for traditional military values over progressive reforms.
Notable Quotes from Hegseth's Book:
- “We need a frontal assault on the military to recapture it from the left.” (17:12)
- “So-called diversity is not our strength. It is our weakness.” (17:16)
- “While America may run on dysfunction, our military runs on masculinity. Properly channeled, it’s not toxic at all. It’s necessary.” (17:26)
6. Donald Trump's Parallel Actions and Views
Barron and Yesko draw parallels between Hegseth’s advocacy and Trump’s own actions and statements regarding war crimes and military justice.
Key Points:
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Trump’s Interventions:
- Pardoned Matthew Goldstein and Clint Lorance.
- Reversed Eddie Gallagher’s demotion and celebrated his acquittal (21:23).
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Trump’s Statements: Questions the relevance of the Geneva Conventions and criticizes “woke” influences within the military (15:17).
Notable Quotes:
- Trump (20:24): “Some of these soldiers are people that have fought hard, long...”
- Trump (21:23): Criticizes the Geneva Conventions, suggesting they hinder military effectiveness.
7. Potential Implications of Hegseth’s Appointment
The episode explores the possible consequences of Hegseth leading the Defense Department, including reduced accountability for war crimes and a shift toward a more aggressive military posture.
Key Points:
- Policy Shifts: Potential easing of rules of engagement and modifications to the military justice system to favor service members.
- Military Morale: Concerns about the military’s reaction, given its mixed views on Trump’s and Hegseth’s criticisms.
- Checks and Balances: Speculation on whether military leadership and the Senate will counteract any detrimental policies.
8. Conclusions and Future Outlook
Barron and Yesko conclude by emphasizing the unpredictability of Trump’s presidency and the critical need to monitor Hegseth’s potential influence on military justice and accountability.
Key Points:
- Uncertainty: The nomination process, including the possibility of a recess appointment and hurdles like Matt Gaetz dropping out as Attorney General (19:36).
- Ongoing Monitoring: Commitment to observing how Hegseth’s philosophies translate into Defense Department policies.
- Call to Action: Encouraging listeners to stay informed and engaged with developments surrounding the incoming administration’s stance on military justice.
Final Thoughts: The episode underscores the significant impact that Hegseth’s leadership could have on the enforcement of war-crimes accountability within the U.S. military. By juxtaposing Hegseth’s and Trump’s actions and ideologies, Barron and Yesko highlight a troubling trend towards diminished oversight and increased advocacy for unconditionally pardoning accused or convicted service members.
Additional Resources: Listeners interested in further exploring the database of alleged war crimes by American service members referenced during the episode can access it through The New YorkerSeason 3.
Timestamp References:
- 03:15: Hegseth throws an axe on live television.
- 04:00: Discussion of Hegseth’s tattoos and assault allegation.
- 06:05: Hegseth’s statement on war criminals.
- 06:22: Hegseth on persecution of service members.
- 08:31: Introduction to Matthew Goldstein’s case.
- 09:31: Details on Eddie Gallagher’s charges.
- 10:44: Hegseth’s Veterans Day special featuring Gallagher.
- 12:08: Clint Lorance’s case overview.
- 15:17: Hegseth’s critique of the Geneva Conventions.
- 17:12: Quotes from Hegseth’s book.
- 19:36: Discussion on Trump’s Attorney General Matt Gaetz dropping out.
- 20:24 & 21:23: Trump’s statements and actions on war crimes.
This summary was developed based on the transcript provided and adheres to the guidelines for a comprehensive, structured, and engaging overview suitable for listeners who have not accessed the episode.