Hegseth founded an advocacy group called Vets for Freedom, the purpose of which was to support both the Iraq War and pro-war political candidates back in 2003 when George W. Bush was president.
"I believed in the mission we had in Iraq," Hegseth wrote in his book about his pro-war position. "We gave speeches aimed at building support for the war."
Bill Kristol advised Vets for Freedom while billionaire Zionist and anti-cannabis crusader Sheldon Adelson bankrolled the thing. Vets for Freedom also produced millions of dollars' worth of television advertising promoting then-President Bush's pro-war policy, including the weapons of mass destruction (WMD) lies that were used to advance it.
Beyond all that, Hegseth also helped support the late John McCain's 2008 presidential campaign. Keep in mind that McCain opposed Trump, at least publicly, only to now have Trump appoint pro-McCain swamp creatures to the levels of power over war in Washington.
(Related: Did you know that Tom Homan, Trump's incoming "border czar," is planning to ramp up workplace raids to bust illegal alien migrant sex and labor trafficking networks?)
Does Hegseth still support war?
The National Journal reported that another pro-war advocacy group called Freedom's Watch made a "significant' contribution to a $10 million ad campaign by "the pro-McCain Vets for Freedom," as the Journal referred to Hegseth's group.
"The group [Vets for Freedom] expects to spend close to $10 million on a four month advertising and grassroots drive to make the case that the Bush administration's policies in Iraq and Afghanistan are making significant progress," reads a report quoting Hegseth.
"Vets for Freedom boasts some 25,000 members. The first part of the campaign is a two-week, $1.5 million ad buy this month in five battleground states. According to a GOP consultant familiar with the group, it received a 'significant' donation from Freedom's Watch, which is largely funded by Las Vegas casino mogul Sheldon Adelson. Freedom's Watch has also helped the veterans group find large donors to bankroll its operations, according to the consultant."
These are some extremely damning revelations concerning the war hawks Trump is packing his cabinet with, although Hegseth's views on war have apparently changed since 2003.
"He came out strongly against regime change on Shawn Ryan show last week," tweeted veteran Jon Leslie (@JonLeslieNH). "He said he'd learned a few things since the war."
Another argued that Trump's picks so far represent "the most neocon cabinet ever," the word neocon referring to pro-war neo-conservatives like McCain who were all about starting new wars and constantly engaging in regime change operations all around the world.
"A lot of people have changed their minds on American imperialism since 2008," wrote another, defending Trump's appointment of Hegseth as defense secretary. "What someone thought back then is sort of irrelevant."
"He has written at least five books over the years," another said in reference to Hegseth. "These are extremely important questions. I know I've changed my feelings on all those conflicts in the last 5 years as have many others."
To be fair, it has been more than 20 years since the days of "Dubya" and the other neocon rulers of that day. The so-called "great awakening," as many Trump supporters call it, is leading many conservatives to oppose the wars of yesteryear, as well as the policies that drove them.
"Virtually everyone except Obama ran into Iraq, but many have since changed their minds," someone else wrote in Hegseth's defense. "I'd be interested in an actual journalist getting the chance to ask him that question. I'm not holding my breath."
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