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Defense Secretary-designate Pete Hegseth has a secret weapon not many people know about.
Those expecting him to be crushed under the weight of the incessant smear campaign he is enduring do not understand the spirit that animates Pete Hegseth, one connected to his military service in New York City.
This spirit, this secret weapon, is the esprit de corps of the “Fighting Irish” unit he served with.
And it is kicking into gear just in time.
We have been told that Hegseth’s chances to be confirmed have ebbed to a new low, as fresh allegations have raised the concerns of even some Republican senators.
He’d already been hit with an unfounded rape accusation.
But then, a years-old private email from his mother somehow became public — one she immediately disavowed.
This is on top of claims of alcoholism and financial mismanagement from “whistleblowers” (a k a disgruntled ex-employees).
One might expect that a nominee facing this much heat would back down, as former Rep. Matt Gaetz did.
Instead, Hegseth put out a recent social-media post saying, “Our warriors never back down, and neither will I.”
Pete and I had the honor of serving in the legendary New York National Guard infantry unit known as “The Fighting 69th.”
Our unit’s motto was inspired by the qualities inherent in the regimental mascot, the Irish wolfhound.
Translated from Gaelic, it says, “Gentle When Stroked, Fierce When Provoked.”
That says it all.
Pete is actually of Norwegian ancestry, but he proudly embraced the martial heritage of the Fighting Irish from his time in the 69th.
It’s in keeping with this heritage that Donald Trump yelled, “Fight, fight, fight!” when he arose after getting shot — his mother was a native Gaelic speaker, after all.
Pete is imbued with the same ethos, one that will make America’s military great again.
It’s a never-surrender attitude that’s ideal for the job he’s slotted to take: being in charge of America’s armed forces, those upon whom we depend to fight and win our nation’s wars.
Don’t get it wrong.
Neither Pete nor President-elect Trump are picking fights with anyone, foreign or domestic.
The goal is peace.
But there are ravenous wolves out in the world, both tyrants in charge of hostile countries and wannabe tyrants on the left in the United States now reeling from their defeat in the recent election and scheming to sabotage Trump’s mandate to “Make America Great Again.”
As the great Gen. George S. Patton told us, “Americans love a winner and will not tolerate a loser.”
Hegseth will make sure the military is fit to win, as threats — from China, Iran and elsewhere — grow.
A focus on readiness rather than pronouns and political correctness will make America’s armed forces feared again.
Having a big stick will help Trump better negotiate deals that avoid war.
Pete will also champion the cause of active soldiers and veterans, having served himself.
It’s maddening how veterans who’ve sacrificed so much are treated.
Pete’s fighting spirit will also enable him to root out the rampant corruption, careerism and defeatism in the Defense Department.
He’ll take on the establishment, the lobbyists and profiteers.
And he has the backbone to do so successfully.
Given the fierce attacks against him, patriotic Americans need to share his fighting spirit and rally around him.
I have had the honor of knowing Pete both personally and professionally for nearly 23 years, from when he was a cadet in college to recent times, when he backed my efforts to rescue our abandoned allies in Afghanistan.
I can tell you first-hand: Pete is a super-nice guy. Amiable, enthusiastic, caring.
But the salvos launched at him by establishment detractors have awoken the wolfhound in him.
Rest assured: As the left goes full throttle in trying to destroy him, Pete Hegseth will not crumble.
He’ll fight like the American soldier he is.
And if the inner wolfhounds of America’s patriots also wake up, he’ll win.
And we the people will, too.
Séamus Ó Fianghusa is an infantry combat veteran, author and advocate of military reform.