Trump Fills Security Team with 'Hawks'... Hegseth for Defense, Ratcliffe for CIA

Hardliners on China Confirmed for Trump's Second Term National Security Team
Defense Secretary, CIA Director, and National Security Advisor Finalized
Figures Who Have Demanded Tough Pressure on North Korea and Iran

President-elect Donald Trump is completing the national security lineup of his second administration by nominating Peter Hegseth, a Fox News host, as the next Secretary of Defense, and John Ratcliffe, former Director of National Intelligence (DNI), as the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Both are 'hawkish' figures who have consistently identified China as the 'greatest national security threat' and have taken an aggressive stance. They have also maintained critical positions on Iran, Russia, and North Korea.

Peter Hegseth, Fox News host, nominated as Secretary of Defense for the second Trump administration AP Yonhap News

On the 12th (local time), Trump said in a statement, "I am honored to nominate Peter Hegseth as Secretary of Defense," adding, "He is tough, smart, and truly believes in America First." Hegseth, a conservative Fox News journalist who hosted the program 'Fox & Friends Weekend,' is a former Army major who served in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and received medals. In 2012, he ran for the U.S. Senate in Minnesota but was defeated. He is 44 years old this year. Trump predicted a tough national security policy, saying, "With Peter leading the Department of Defense, America's enemies will be warned," and "Our military will be great again, and America will never back down."

On the same day, Trump nominated Ratcliffe, who led the DNI during the first administration, as CIA Director. He introduced Ratcliffe as "a fighter who will fearlessly defend the constitutional rights of all Americans while ensuring the highest level of national security and 'peace through strength.'" Ratcliffe currently serves as co-chair of the American Security Center under the America First Policy Institute (AFPI), a pro-Trump think tank.

Additionally, as reported the previous day, Trump officially nominated Representative Mike Waltz, a hardliner on China, as White House National Security Advisor. Trump described Mike as "a strong advocate of the 'America First' foreign policy agenda and a tremendous proponent of pursuing 'peace through strength,'" adding that he is "an expert on China, Russia, Iran, and global terrorist threats."

John Ratcliffe, former Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Photo by AP Yonhap News

Accordingly, the national security lineup of the second administration is now in place. The Secretary of Defense, White House National Security Advisor, and CIA Director, along with the yet-to-be-officially-announced Secretary of State, are key positions that determine the administration's national security policy. Local media reported the previous day that Trump had nominated Senator Marco Rubio, a close diplomatic ally and China hardliner, as the next Secretary of State.

The four confirmed or nominated national security officials so far share the commonality of being hawkish figures who have consistently criticized adversarial countries such as China and Iran and have called for a tough U.S. response. In effect, the keywords for Trump's second-term diplomatic and security personnel are 'anti-China' and 'hawk.' Consequently, there is widespread speculation that the second administration will see intensified hegemonic competition with China and increased pressure on Iran, North Korea, and others.

Hegseth, nominated as Secretary of Defense, has expressed concerns about China's expanding economic and military influence and has called for strong economic sanctions. Ratcliffe has also warned that China is enhancing its military capabilities through artificial intelligence (AI) and biotechnology, raising security concerns. Moreover, they have jointly advocated for stronger pressure on North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons. They have opposed diplomatic negotiations with Iran and supported a 'maximum pressure' policy.

Alongside these appointments, Trump announced that he would nominate South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, a hardliner on immigration, as the first Secretary of Homeland Security, and Joseph McGinley, a former White House aide, as White House Counsel. Additionally, Axios reported that Trump is considering former Representative Chris Stewart, who actively defended him during the impeachment crisis, for the key intelligence position of DNI Director.