Jan 15, 2025 Story by: Editor
Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of defense, has been vocal in opposing the removal of Confederate generals’ names from U.S. military bases, frequently advocating for their restoration.
Hegseth, a National Guard veteran and long-standing Fox News personality, has consistently referred to the renaming of bases as “a sham,” “garbage,” and “crap” during media appearances between 2021 and 2024, reviewed by CNN. He has argued that these efforts undermine military tradition and represent a politically driven progressive agenda infiltrating American institutions.
Between 2022 and 2023, nine U.S. military bases originally named after Confederate leaders underwent renaming. This initiative was part of the National Defense Authorization Act, passed at the conclusion of Trump’s first term. Although Trump initially vetoed the bill, citing objections to the renaming clause, Congress overrode the veto in January 2021 to enact the legislation.
As defense secretary, Hegseth could potentially push for the restoration of the original Confederate names on these bases. However, any such changes would require congressional approval.
Hegseth, whose Senate confirmation hearings are set to commence on January 14, has also criticized other cultural shifts in the military, including allowing women in combat roles and the inclusion of openly gay service members.
When approached by CNN for comment, Hegseth did not respond.
In his 2024 book tour promoting The War on Warriors, Hegseth repeatedly condemned the renaming of military bases, describing it as a loss of legacy and tradition. On a podcast, he specifically addressed the renaming of Fort Liberty, previously Fort Bragg in North Carolina, saying, “We should change it back by the way. We should change it back. We should change it back. We should change it back because legacy matters. My uncle served at Bragg. I served at Bragg. It breaks a generational link.”
Fort Bragg, one of the largest U.S. Army bases, was named after Confederate Gen. Braxton Bragg, a slave owner known for losing most of the battles he fought in the Civil War. According to a naming commission established by Congress, Bragg was considered “one of the worst generals of the Civil War” and “widely disliked” by his peers and subordinates. Originally established during World War I as Camp Bragg, the base was named by locals to honor Bragg, the only Civil War general from North Carolina. It was renamed Fort Liberty in 2023.
Trump has consistently expressed his disapproval of renaming bases honoring Confederate figures. “I have been clear in my opposition to politically motivated attempts like this to wash away history and to dishonor the immense progress our country has fought for in realizing our founding principles,” Trump stated regarding the legislation.
Hegseth’s position reflects the broader stance of incoming Trump administration officials, who have voiced opposition to various progressive cultural policies. As previously reported by CNN, Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, tasked with reducing government spending, are expected to recommend cutting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.
During a December interview with Megyn Kelly, Hegseth outlined several DEI-related initiatives Trump has instructed him to eliminate from the Pentagon. “Clean house of the woke crap,” Hegseth stated. “All that stuff. Climate stuff, the (critical race theory), the DEI and genderism. Get rid of it.”
CNN’s earlier reporting in December highlighted Hegseth’s past criticism of openly gay service members and women in combat roles, viewing these as elements of a “Marxist agenda.” However, since then, Hegseth appears to have moderated his stance on both issues.
In a 2021 interview with Israeli podcaster Yair Netanyahu, son of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Hegseth criticized the trend of renaming military bases, framing it as part of a broader narrative that views America exclusively through the lens of its historical shortcomings. “It’s that view that America is defined by its sins of the past,” he remarked. “That the only lens through which you should view America is it was stolen from Indians – from Native Americans and built on the backs of slaves. Therefore, anyone who was a slave owner, anyone who was a part of, you know, didn’t go far enough in their time should be canceled.”
Hegseth also criticized retired Gen. Mark Milley, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, accusing him of supporting the renaming efforts for political reasons. On a June 2024 podcast, Hegseth questioned why Milley, who once commanded Fort Hood, had not previously opposed Confederate base names. “Why wasn’t he screaming about the racist base?” Hegseth asked. “Oh my goodness. How in the world am I gonna send troopers through basic training at a racist base? It must be changed. It’s a sham. He showed up and he did it as a sham to kowtow to all the chattering class in Washington, DC, and he should be called out for it.”
In another June 2024 interview, Hegseth dismissed the renaming of bases as “crap” and “garbage.” Referring to Fort Benning, now Fort Moore, he said, “I emailed my company commander from my infantry training, which was at Fort Benning, which is no longer Fort Benning. It’s Fort Moore. And Hal Moore’s a great guy. But like, there’s also a generational link that breaks when you rename Benning and Bragg. Like, where’d you serve? Bragg, where’d you serve Benning? Where’d you serve now Liberty, like, it’s just, it’s garbage. It’s all, it’s just, let’s just crap all over it.”
Fort Benning was named after Confederate Gen. Henry L. Benning. It was renamed Fort Moore in 2023. Source: CNN
