US President-elect Donald Trump has selected Army veteran Pete Hegseth to serve as Secretary of Defense.
I am privileged to declare that I have put forth the nomination of Pete Hegseth to serve in my Cabinet as the Secretary of Defense,” stated Trump in an official announcement. “Pete has committed his life to the service of our military and our nation. He embodies resilience, intelligence, and a steadfast commitment to the ‘America First’ philosophy. With Pete at the helm, the strength of America’s military will reach new heights, and our adversaries will understand that America will stand firm.”
Hegseth, a graduate of Princeton University and a combat veteran of the Army, has been nominated by President-elect Donald Trump for the position of Secretary of Defense. At 44 years of age, Hegseth has served in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Guantanamo Bay as an infantry captain in the Army National Guard, earning two Bronze Stars and a Combat Infantryman’s Badge. He also possesses a graduate degree from Harvard University. Hegseth has been a prominent figure on Fox News, co-hosting “Fox & Friends Weekend” since 2017, and has been a staunch supporter of Trump, advocating for the exoneration of service members accused of war crimes.
Peter Brian Hegseth, born on June 6, 1980, is an American television personality, author, and officer in the Army National Guard, who has been nominated for the position of U.S. Secretary of Defense in the anticipated second term of Donald Trump. He is recognized as a political commentator for Fox News and has previously led organizations such as Vets for Freedom and Concerned Veterans for America, where he championed conservative and Republican initiatives.
Hegseth has been engaged in Republican politics since his undergraduate years at Princeton University. He was a supporter of Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign and served as a key advisor. He played a significant role in advocating for the pardons of three soldiers accused of wartime misconduct and has been a steadfast defender of the detention practices at Guantanamo Bay, drawing from his own experiences as a platoon leader in that location.
During Trump’s initial term, Hegseth was considered a leading candidate for the Secretary of Veterans Affairs position, although David Shulkin was ultimately appointed. With his recent nomination, Hegseth is poised to enhance his influence in the realms of national defense and conservative politics.
Also read- Mike Waltz As Trump Names Him National Security Adviser 2025
Books by Pete Hegseth :
| Title | Publisher | Year |
|---|---|---|
| The Case Against the Establishment (Foreword) | By Nick Adams & Dave Erickson | 2017 |
| In the Arena | Threshold Editions | 2016 |
| American Crusade | Center Street | 2020 |
| Battle for the American Mind | Broadside Books | 2022 |
| The War on Warriors | Broadside Books | 2024 |
Here’s a table summarizing Peter Brian Hegseth’s personal details:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Peter Brian Hegseth |
| Date of Birth | June 6, 1980 (age 44) |
| Birthplace | Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Political Party | Republican |
| Spouses | Meredith Schwarz (m. 2004; div. 2009) |
| Samantha Deering (m. 2010; div. 2017) | |
| Jennifer Rauchet (m. 2019) | |
| Children | 7 |
| Education | Princeton University (BA), Harvard University (MPP) |
Here’s a table for Peter Brian Hegseth’s military service details:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/Service | United States Army |
| Years of Service | 2003–present |
| Rank | Major |
| Unit | Minnesota Army National Guard |
| Battles/Wars | Iraq War, War in Afghanistan |
| Awards | Bronze Star (x2), Army Commendation Medal (x2), National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal |
| Badges | Expert Infantryman Badge, Combat Infantryman Badge |