Today, Explained – "Hegseth’s Hectic Military"

Aired: October 2, 2025
Host: Noel King
Guests: Dan Lamoth (Washington Post), Kerry Howley (New York Magazine)

Episode Overview

This episode explores the controversial reign of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, his relationship with former President Trump, and the “hectic” reshaping of US military culture. Through analysis from Washington Post Pentagon correspondent Dan Lamoth and New York Magazine’s Kerry Howley, the hosts unpack a dramatic military gathering at Quantico, Hegseth’s combative leadership style, recent scandals, and what these changes mean for America’s armed forces and civil-military norms.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Quantico Gathering: Lethality, Wokeness, and Shaving

• Background: Secretary Hegseth summoned ~800 senior officers for a forceful reset—emphasizing discipline, physical standards, and a purge of DEI initiatives.
• Explicit Orders:
  • “We’re gonna cut our hair, shave our beards and adhere to standards.” (Pete Hegseth, 00:12)
  • “No more beardos. The era of rampant and ridiculous shaving profiles is done.” (Pete Hegseth, 00:17)
• ‘Back to Basics’ Mentality: Hegseth’s agenda frames the military as having drifted from its warrior ethos due to inclusivity and social change.
  • “We became the WOKE department.” (Hegseth, 07:46)
  • “No more identity months, DEI offices, dudes in dresses.” (Hegseth, 08:43)
• Turning Back the Clock: Asks why standards changed since 1990, questioning if they’d been weakened for non-combat priorities (Hegseth, 07:59).

2. Trump’s Unscripted Speech and Calls for Military in Cities

• Impromptu, Rambling Remarks: Trump was invited after the Washington Post broke the story about the generals’ call-up. His speech touched on personal pet peeves as much as policy.
  • “Be cool when you walk down, but don't bop down the stairs...” (Trump, 00:30)
  • “I love the word tariff. You know, we’re becoming rich as hell.” (Trump, 02:42)
• Deployment Threats: Trump bluntly suggested using the military in “war from within” against American cities perceived as crime-ridden.
  • “We should use some of these dangerous cities as training grounds for our military... because we're going into Chicago very soon.” (Trump, 04:02)
• Breach of Norms: Such suggestions break from post-Reconstruction American norms keeping the military out of domestic law enforcement, and have rattled insiders.

3. Military & Insider Reaction

• Seen as Typical, but Uncomfortable: Military brass, while used to Trump’s style, dislike the blurring of civil-military boundaries.
  • “They’re gritting their teeth, a lot of them... It's an extremely sensitive time.” (Dan Lamoth, 05:15)
• Intolerance of Dissent:
  • “If the words I’m speaking today are making your heart sink, then you should do the honorable thing and resign.” (Hegseth, 06:02)
  • Encouraged those unhappy with the new direction to leave rather than resist—a “my way or get out” tone.

4. Hegseth’s Personal and Political Backdrop

• Television to Power: Hegseth, once a Fox News personality, is seen as a Secretary who “looks the part” to Trump.
  • “Trump encountered Hegseth in his previous life as a Fox and Friends weekend co-host.” (Howley, 15:51)
• Consistent Messaging: He has long advanced a “warrior” ideal and criticized perceived softness or progressive change in the military.
• Controversies and Scandal:
  • Signalgate: Leak investigations and crisis over a group chat revealing classified discussions.
  • “This is a very leaky department... people are concerned but don’t feel they can run those concerns up the ladder.” (Howley, 18:22)
  • Publicly accused close aides and friends of leaking, creating paranoia and a shrinking inner circle.
• Image/Brand Focus: More preoccupied with optics and social media than strategic vision.
  • “His preoccupation continues to be... crafting a visual moment, social media, the way the department looks to the broader public.” (Howley, 17:02)
  • Reported impulse control issues and a history of personal scandal (substance abuse, affairs, financial irregularities).

5. Aftermath of Scandal: Paranoia, Retrenchment, and Loyalty to Trump

• After Signalgate, Hegseth's attitude shifts: from ambition and curiosity to paranoia and control.
  • “Instead of relying on... this kind of deep bench... he’s surrounding himself with more of his personal entourage.” (Howley, 22:20)
  • His wife and brother assume informal roles in the Pentagon’s public affairs and legal management.
• Shift in Governance:
  • Department reportedly ceases creative problem-solving, becomes a mechanism for implementing Trump’s will.
  • “He started parroting some of these more isolationist points of view... willing to shift his ideology depending on who he might be talking to.” (Howley, 24:10)
• Flexible Ideology & Trump Loyalty:
  • “He is here because Donald Trump trusts that when Donald Trump calls on Pete Hegseth to do something questionable, he is a guy who’s going to follow orders.” (Howley, 24:52)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Military Purity & Standards:
  • “If women can make it, excellent. If not, it is what it is. If that means no women qualify for some combat jobs, so be it.” (Hegseth, 09:01)
• On Facing Internal Dissent:
  • “If the words I’m speaking today are making your heart sink, then you should do the honorable thing and resign.” (Hegseth, 06:02)
• On Trump’s Approach:
  • “We should use some of these dangerous cities as training grounds for our military National Guard, but military because we're going into Chicago very soon.” (Trump, 04:02)
• On Paranoia After Scandal:
  • “His trusted circle became much smaller... his wife was frequently in the office giving orders… his brother came on as personal lawyer.” (Howley, 22:20)
• On Hegseth’s Role:
  • “He is here because Donald Trump trusts that when Donald Trump calls on Pete Hegseth to do something questionable, he is a guy who’s going to follow orders.” (Howley, 24:52)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:12] Hegseth outlines military appearance and discipline standards
• [02:17] Dan Lamoth analyzes Trump’s unscripted speech at Quantico
• [04:00] Trump suggests military force in US cities
• [06:02] Hegseth’s ultimatum: “resign if you disagree”
• [07:46] Hegseth decries “wokeness”
• [09:01] Women’s role in combat, return to traditional standards
• [15:11] Kerry Howley on Hegseth’s TV persona and trajectory
• [18:56] The fallout and paranoia after “Signalgate”
• [22:20] Personal entourage takes control; institutional trust collapses
• [24:52] Howley: “Loyalty to Trump trumps all else”

Tone & Language

The episode carries a tone of urgent skepticism, with references to “chaos,” “paranoia,” and “rollback” in military culture. The hosts and their guests use clear, direct language, often quoting or paraphrasing memorable soundbites from Hegseth and Trump to highlight their styles and concerns.

Conclusion

This "Today, Explained" episode pulls back the curtain on the Hegseth era at the Pentagon—characterized by a push for old-school discipline, resistance to social change, internal chaos, and unyielding loyalty to Trump. Both guests warn that a mix of image obsession, ideological flexibility, and political paranoia at the top of America’s military could have unpredictable consequences both for service members and for civil-military relations in the future.