Pete Hegseth, President Trump’s nominee for Defense Secretary, is the leader America needs to restore the military’s core mission. Katie and Andrew Cherkasky, military veterans and authors of Oak Warriors, explained to Steve Bannon on Wednesday’s WarRoom why Hegseth is the right choice to fix the cultural rot in the Department of Defense (DoD). They lay out the systemic problems, the distractions, and what Hegseth must tackle on Day One.

The Pentagon’s Woke Crisis

The Cherkaskys describe a military crippled by woke policies. DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) has taken over the DoD. Katie, a former prosecutor, explains how these programs waste time, money, and resources. "People would be shocked,” she says, by how much focus is spent investigating petty infractions caused by DEI.

These policies don’t just drain resources. They’re driving out seasoned service members. Soldiers, sailors, and Marines with combat experience are leaving over trivial issues. The result? A weaker, distracted military. "We’re losing honorable warriors,” Katie warns.

Andrew adds that this is not just a recent issue. "It started in the Obama years,” he says. Movements like #MeToo hit the military before they went mainstream. Posters, training, and messaging took over. The focus shifted from warfighting to social engineering. Today, the Pentagon feels like a massive social program, not a defense powerhouse.

Environmentalism is another distraction. Andrew highlights billion-dollar programs to combat global warming. President Biden called climate change the greatest threat to America. Andrew sharply disagrees. "The biggest threat is nuclear war, not global warming,” he says.

Why Pete Hegseth?

The Cherkaskys argue that Pete Hegseth is uniquely qualified to lead the cultural reform the military desperately needs. He’s a combat veteran who understands the military’s original purpose: to defend the nation and win wars.

Katie emphasizes Hegseth’s practical and philosophical understanding of the problems. His battlefield experience gives him credibility with troops. His work as a public advocate shows he grasps the scale of the challenge. "He knows it’s not just overturning a policy. This runs deep,” Katie says.

Andrew agrees. Hegseth is tough, charismatic, and focused. But he also warns that Hegseth faces a Herculean task. "The Pentagon is the biggest industrial complex in history,” Andrew says. Reforming it won’t be easy.

What Hegseth Must Do

The Cherkaskys outline key steps for Hegseth on Day One:

Rescind DEI Policies: Remove the DoD instructions and regulations that promote DEI and equal opportunity distractions. This can be done under executive authority.

Reevaluate Spending: Congress often ties funding to these programs. Hegseth must revisit how money is allocated and cut wasteful programs.

Refocus on Warfighting: End the distractions and rebuild a military centered on combat readiness. This means streamlining resources and eliminating unnecessary social experiments.

Katie and Andrew believe Hegseth can lead this charge. They stress that he won’t be alone. A strong team will support him. But his success depends on a clear, uncompromising focus on the military’s primary mission.

Why It Matters

The Cherkaskys warn that the Pentagon’s cultural shift undermines America’s security. The military’s core mission—defense and warfighting—has been sidelined. Reversing this trend is critical. Pete Hegseth has the mindset and experience to make it happen.

For supporters of America First, this is a battle worth fighting. Hegseth’s leadership could redefine the military’s future and restore its focus on protecting the nation. As Katie says, "This isn’t just a policy change. It’s about the survival of what our military stands for.”

For more context watch this Wednesday WarRoom segment:

Andrew & Katie Cherkasky Discuss Streamlining The Military’s True Goals Under Pete Hegseth