on Nov. 13 expressed shock at the appointment of the 44-year-old veteran with little military leadership experience. But lawmakers and experts in Ukraine, a country dependent on foreign assistance in battling Russia’s full-scale invasion now in its third year, reacted cautiously and looked for signs of optimism.Hegseth’s appointment follows news that Trump plans to appoint Congressman Mike Waltz as National Security Advisor and, reportedly but not confirmed yet by Trump’s team, Senator Marco Rubio as his next Secretary of State. Billionaire Elon Musk and wealthy entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy will head a new "Department of Government Efficiency" focused on government reforms, among other announcements. Following Trump’s inauguration in January, appointees that require confirmation will take positions in the government if approved by U.S.