President-elect Donald Trump nominated Fox News host and combat veteran Pete Hegseth—who has railed against “woke” leadership of the U.S. military—as his Defense Secretary on Tuesday night, marking one of Trump’s most controversial cabinet picks so far as critics raise concerns about his lack of experience and right-wing views.

President-elect Donald Trump stunned the Pentagon and the broader defense world by nominating Fox News host Pete Hegseth to serve as his defense secretary, tapping someone largely inexperienced and untested on the global stage to take over the world’s largest and most powerful military.

The choice of Mr. Hegseth, a dedicated supporter of the president-elect in his first term, is outside the norm of the traditional choice for the post.