Republicans express shock and concern after far-right Republican congressman Matt Gaetz nominated by Trump

The Pentagon has been stunned by Donald Trump ’s pick for defence secretary, Pete Hegseth , a national guard veteran and Fox News presenter who has called for a purge of generals for pursuing “woke” diversity policies.

Hegseth has questioned whether the chair of the joint chiefs of staff, Gen Charles Brown , was given the top job because he is black and accused him of “pursuing the radical positions of leftwing politicians”.