In selecting Pete Hegseth, the Fox News host and military veteran, to lead the Department of Defense, President-elect Donald Trump has chosen a prominent conservative figure with a strong following, both in the media and the military community.
Hegseth, 44, has built a close relationship with Trump over the years, partly due to the president-elect’s frequent appearances on Hegseth’s show, Fox & Friends Weekend. Hegseth has been a part of the Fox News team for over a decade, offering insights on military matters. His views and analysis on national security have resonated with the network’s audience, earning him a reputation for military expertise.
In addition to his media career, Hegseth is also an accomplished author, having written several books, including The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free. Trump highlighted the success of Hegseth’s book, which spent weeks on The New York Times best-seller list.
Hegseth’s military background, while not extensive in terms of senior leadership roles, provides him with relevant experience. After graduating from Princeton University, he was commissioned as an infantry captain in the Army National Guard and served in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Guantanamo Bay. He later led the conservative group Concerned Veterans for America and ran for the Senate in Minnesota in 2012. Hegseth holds a master’s degree in public policy from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.
His past advocacy for pardoning U.S. service members accused of war crimes has been a defining part of his career. Hegseth lobbied Trump to pardon service members charged with war crimes, a push that led to several high-profile pardons during Trump’s presidency.
As Secretary of Defense, Hegseth would take office amid global tensions, including the ongoing war in Ukraine, the threat of Iranian-backed militias in the Middle East, and rising concerns over Russia’s growing alliance with North Korea. While the role of defense secretary is critical in any administration, the position was marked by instability during Trump’s first term, with five different individuals holding the post.
Hegseth’s appointment could be pivotal as he navigates the complexities of these global conflicts, all while dealing with the challenges of a position that has seen considerable internal friction in the past.