2025. 10. 2. 09:54ㆍ유용한 정보/군사소식
미국 전쟁부 장관 피트 헤그세스는 어떤 분인가?
미국 29대 국방부 (현 전쟁부) 장관 학력, 경력,
군사 교육과 경력, 훈장 일반 사회 이력 소개
피트 헤그세스 Pete Hegseth
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
본명
|
피터 브라이언 헤그세스
Peter Brian Hegseth |
|
출생
|
|
|
재임기간
|
제29대 국방장관(전쟁장관)
|
|
서명
|
|
|
링크
|
|
|
|
|
|
미네소타 주에서 태어났다. 아버지는 농구 코치였고, 어머니는 공화당의 공공 프로그램에 참여했다. 그는 어릴때부터 학업과 스포츠에서 두각을 나타내어 여러차례 입상했다. 그는 육군사관학교의 입학 제의를 물리치고 프린스턴 대학교의 입학 제의를 받아들였다.[2]
2003년 대학 졸업 후 ROTC로 장교에 임관했다. 2004~2005년 이라크 전쟁에 파병되었고, 2006년에는 쿠바 관타나모 수용소 근무를 했으며, 2010~2011년 아프가니스탄 파병에 참여하였다. 이 과정에서 다수의 훈장을 받았다.
주방위군은 상근 군인이 아닌 예비군 성격이라 민간 직업을 가지면서 필요할 때 소집되는 제도이기 때문에, 군 복무와 병행하여 민간 분야에서도 활동했는데, 베어스턴스 투자은행에서 일했고, 이후 보수 성향의 싱크탱크 및 정치 단체에서도 경험을 쌓았다. 2010년대 중반부터 폭스뉴스(Fox News)의 해설자·앵커로 두각을 나타내며 전국적인 유명 인사가 되었다.
2021년 조 바이든 대통령 취임식 경비 임무 당시, 헤그세스를 포함한 일부 경계 병력이 내부 위협(insider threat) 우려를 받으면서 현장 투입되지 못한 사실이 있었고, 이후 그는 군 복무를 사실상 마무리했다.
https://youtu.be/JkNlZ2BhhgI?si=zJ_9jKvWKynFoMdM
40대의 젊은 나이에 도널드 트럼프 행정부의 미국 국방장관으로 지명되었다.
국방장관 인준 청문위원회에서 북한을 '핵 세력'(nuclear power)으로 지칭하며[3] 북한의 핵위협은, 한반도와 인태지역에 위험을 가져오며, 그 지역에 주둔한 미군에도 좋지 않은 영향이라고 보고 있으며, 이는 미국에도 위협을 가져온다고 보고있다고 한다.
또한 이외에도 인태지역의 미군을 재배치하는 등, 주한미군 방위분담금 증액을 사실상 시사하였다. 그러나 지뢰가 효과가 있었냐는 질문에는, 자신이 국방부 장관이 되면 주한미군 사령관과 이야기를 나눠보겠다고 한다.
청문회 자리에서 인도-태평양 지역의 전략적 중요성을 강조하였으나, 뒤이은 태미 더크워스 상원의원의 아세안에 가입한 국가가 몇 개인지와 미국에 왜 중요한지를 언급하라는 질문에 아세안 국가의 정확한 수를 말할 수 없지만 "우리는 호주, 영국, 미국 간의 협력체인 AUKUS에 호주와 함께 한국과 일본의 동맹이 있다는 것을 알고 있습니다."고 답했다. 이에 더크워스 의원은 "그 세 나라 중 어느 나라도 ASEAN에 속하지 않습니다."라며 "조금 공부해 보시는 게 좋을 것 같습니다."라고 답했다. ###
1월 24일(현지기준) 미국 상원 최종표결에서 찬성 50표, 반대 50표[4]가 나왔지만 부통령 JD 밴스가 상원의장으로서 캐스팅 보트를 행사함으로써 인준이 통과되었다. 이로서 트럼프 2기 행정부의 초대 미국 국방장관으로 정식 취임하게 되었다. 1989년 인준안이 부결된 존 타워 당시 미국 국방장관 후보자 이후 가장 적은 표차로 인준을 받은 미국 국방장관이 되었다.
2월 10일, 트랜스젠더의 신병 모집을 중단하는 명령을 내렸다.# 3월 18일, 아나 레예스 워싱턴DC 연방지방법원 판사는 트럼프 대통령의 트랜스젠더 군 복무 관련 행정명령이 성차별을 금지하고 있는 미국 헌법을 위반한 것으로 보인다고 판단했다.#
우크라이나 전쟁 종전과 관련해서 우크라이나의 크림 반도 포기 발언으로 당 내에서 비판이 나왔다.#
2월 19일, 향후 5년간 매년 8%씩 국방 예산 삭감 계획 마련을 지시했다.#
2월 21일, 트럼프 대통령이 찰스 브라운 합동참모의장을 해임한 후 성명을 통해 리사 프란체티 해군참모총장, 제임스 슬라이프 공군참모차장, 그리고 육해공군의 법무감[5]을 교체한다고 밝혔다.#
3월 26일, 주한 미8군 사령관인 크리스토퍼 라네브 육군 중장이 국방부 고위 군사 참모로 임명됐다.#
3월 31일, 전투 병과에 있는 여성 군인에 대해 상대적으로 낮은 체력 기준을 적용하는 것을 없앨 것을 지시했다.#
4월 15일, 나카타니 겐 일본 방위대신과 만나 일본 자위대가 지금까지 동중국해와 남중국해를 별개의 전선으로 보는 것을 수정해 한반도-동중국해-남중국해를 '동일전선'으로 취급하는 계획에 대해 이야기했다. 헤그세스 국방장관은 그 제안을 '환영'했다고 한다.#
국방부 청사인 펜타곤 내에 분장실을 만들라고 했다고 보도되었다.# 국방부는 엑스를 통해 이를 가짜 뉴스라고 비난했다.
5월 1일, 미 육군의 병기 획득사업을 대폭 정리할 것임을 발표했다. M10 부커 경전차 사업을 취소하고, AH-64D형 아파치 헬기, 험비, JLTV는 완전 퇴역시키며, 대신 새로운 드론과 이동식 미사일, 경량기동차량을 도입할 것임을 발표했다.#
미군 내 4성 장군 가운데 최소 20%가 감축되며 전체 장군 가운데 최소 10%가 추가로 줄어든다.#
로이터 통신 따르면, 백악관에 통보하지 않고 2월 초 우크라이나로 가는 군사 지원 항공편을 일시적으로 중단하라고 명령했다.#
더 가디언은 헤그세스 장관이 공석인 장관 비서실장에 리키 버리아 선임보좌관을 임명하려고 시도했으나 백악관이 개입해 이를 막았다고 보도했다.#
프라이드 먼스인 6월에는 성소수자 인권운동가이자 참전용사인 하비 밀크의 이름을 붙인 군함의 명칭을 바꿀 것을 지시했다.# 그리고 2차대전 참전 병사 오스카 V.피터슨의 이름으로 변경했다.#
2025년 이스라엘-이란 분쟁 이후 트럼프 대통령의 대이란 대응에 관해 합참의장과 중부사령관 등의 고위 장성들보다 신임과 발언권이 약하다는 평가를 받았다.# 미군의 이란 핵시설 공습 성과를 설명하는 6월 22일의 언론 브리핑#에서도 실무적인 설명은 대부분 댄 케인[6]# 합참의장이 하였고, 헤그세스 장관은 브리핑의 개요 및 언론의 질문에 대한 공식 답변에 집중하였다. 이는 국방장관으로서 헤그세스의 역할이 '실질적인 정책 보좌 및 결정'보다는 '실무직 고위 장교들의 의견을 조율하고 최고 결정권자인 대통령에게 전달하는 가교 역할'에 초점을 맞추고 있음을 알 수 있다.[7][8]#
미 합참본부장인 더글러스 A. 심스 미 육군 중장을 대장 진급에서 최종 탈락시켰다. 별다른 증거도 제시하지 않은 채 심스 중장을 언론에 민감한 정보를 유출했다면서 진급에 반대했다. 그러나 심스 중장이 이런 의혹을 털어낸 뒤 피트 헤그세스 국방장관은 진급에 동의하는 쪽으로 마음을 돌렸지만, 이달 초 또 급작스럽게 결정을 번복했다.#
9월, 국방부 출입기자들에게 사전에 보도 허용 승인을 공식적으로 받은 내용만 취재하겠다는 서약서를 요구키로 했다.#
미군의 준장(1성급) 이상 지휘관 거의 전원에게 9월 30일 버지니아주 콴티코 해병대 기지로 집결하라고 지시했다. 그러나 소집 사유는 밝히지 않았다.# 30일, 전군 회의에서 미군이 인종과 성평등 같은 사회적 이슈가 아니라 전투력 강화에만 집중하게 하겠다고 강조했다.#
이러한 연설에 미국 언론에서는 혹평을 내렸는데 미국의 예비군 역할인 주방위군 소령에서 제대한 헤그세스가 이라크, 아프간, 시리아 내전 등 산전수전 겪은 장성들에게 용모단정, 뚱뚱한 장교 아웃 등 그저 중대장 수준의 기조 연설에 가까웠다. 일부 예비역 장성들은 전투력 강화는 둘째치고 용모단정 운운하는 연설에 참석한 장성들은 상당히 불쾌했을 것이라고 인터뷰했다.
2월 10일, 트랜스젠더의 신병 모집을 중단하는 명령을 내렸다.# 3월 18일, 아나 레예스 워싱턴DC 연방지방법원 판사는 트럼프 대통령의 트랜스젠더 군 복무 관련 행정명령이 성차별을 금지하고 있는 미국 헌법을 위반한 것으로 보인다고 판단했다.#
우크라이나 전쟁 종전과 관련해서 우크라이나의 크림 반도 포기 발언으로 당 내에서 비판이 나왔다.#
2월 19일, 향후 5년간 매년 8%씩 국방 예산 삭감 계획 마련을 지시했다.#
2월 21일, 트럼프 대통령이 찰스 브라운 합동참모의장을 해임한 후 성명을 통해 리사 프란체티 해군참모총장, 제임스 슬라이프 공군참모차장, 그리고 육해공군의 법무감[5]을 교체한다고 밝혔다.#
3월 26일, 주한 미8군 사령관인 크리스토퍼 라네브 육군 중장이 국방부 고위 군사 참모로 임명됐다.#
3월 31일, 전투 병과에 있는 여성 군인에 대해 상대적으로 낮은 체력 기준을 적용하는 것을 없앨 것을 지시했다.#
4월 15일, 나카타니 겐 일본 방위대신과 만나 일본 자위대가 지금까지 동중국해와 남중국해를 별개의 전선으로 보는 것을 수정해 한반도-동중국해-남중국해를 '동일전선'으로 취급하는 계획에 대해 이야기했다. 헤그세스 국방장관은 그 제안을 '환영'했다고 한다.#
국방부 청사인 펜타곤 내에 분장실을 만들라고 했다고 보도되었다.# 국방부는 엑스를 통해 이를 가짜 뉴스라고 비난했다.
5월 1일, 미 육군의 병기 획득사업을 대폭 정리할 것임을 발표했다. M10 부커 경전차 사업을 취소하고, AH-64D형 아파치 헬기, 험비, JLTV는 완전 퇴역시키며, 대신 새로운 드론과 이동식 미사일, 경량기동차량을 도입할 것임을 발표했다.#
미군 내 4성 장군 가운데 최소 20%가 감축되며 전체 장군 가운데 최소 10%가 추가로 줄어든다.#
로이터 통신 따르면, 백악관에 통보하지 않고 2월 초 우크라이나로 가는 군사 지원 항공편을 일시적으로 중단하라고 명령했다.#
더 가디언은 헤그세스 장관이 공석인 장관 비서실장에 리키 버리아 선임보좌관을 임명하려고 시도했으나 백악관이 개입해 이를 막았다고 보도했다.#
프라이드 먼스인 6월에는 성소수자 인권운동가이자 참전용사인 하비 밀크의 이름을 붙인 군함의 명칭을 바꿀 것을 지시했다.# 그리고 2차대전 참전 병사 오스카 V.피터슨의 이름으로 변경했다.#
2025년 이스라엘-이란 분쟁 이후 트럼프 대통령의 대이란 대응에 관해 합참의장과 중부사령관 등의 고위 장성들보다 신임과 발언권이 약하다는 평가를 받았다.# 미군의 이란 핵시설 공습 성과를 설명하는 6월 22일의 언론 브리핑#에서도 실무적인 설명은 대부분 댄 케인[6]# 합참의장이 하였고, 헤그세스 장관은 브리핑의 개요 및 언론의 질문에 대한 공식 답변에 집중하였다. 이는 국방장관으로서 헤그세스의 역할이 '실질적인 정책 보좌 및 결정'보다는 '실무직 고위 장교들의 의견을 조율하고 최고 결정권자인 대통령에게 전달하는 가교 역할'에 초점을 맞추고 있음을 알 수 있다.[7][8]#
미 합참본부장인 더글러스 A. 심스 미 육군 중장을 대장 진급에서 최종 탈락시켰다. 별다른 증거도 제시하지 않은 채 심스 중장을 언론에 민감한 정보를 유출했다면서 진급에 반대했다. 그러나 심스 중장이 이런 의혹을 털어낸 뒤 피트 헤그세스 국방장관은 진급에 동의하는 쪽으로 마음을 돌렸지만, 이달 초 또 급작스럽게 결정을 번복했다.#
9월, 국방부 출입기자들에게 사전에 보도 허용 승인을 공식적으로 받은 내용만 취재하겠다는 서약서를 요구키로 했다.#
미군의 준장(1성급) 이상 지휘관 거의 전원에게 9월 30일 버지니아주 콴티코 해병대 기지로 집결하라고 지시했다. 그러나 소집 사유는 밝히지 않았다.# 30일, 전군 회의에서 미군이 인종과 성평등 같은 사회적 이슈가 아니라 전투력 강화에만 집중하게 하겠다고 강조했다.#
이러한 연설에 미국 언론에서는 혹평을 내렸는데 미국의 예비군 역할인 주방위군 소령에서 제대한 헤그세스가 이라크, 아프간, 시리아 내전 등 산전수전 겪은 장성들에게 용모단정, 뚱뚱한 장교 아웃 등 그저 중대장 수준의 기조 연설에 가까웠다. 일부 예비역 장성들은 전투력 강화는 둘째치고 용모단정 운운하는 연설에 참석한 장성들은 상당히 불쾌했을 것이라고 인터뷰했다.
NATO가 방위비를 제대로 분담하지 않는 것에 대해 매우 비판적인 입장을 가지고 있으며, 친이스라엘 성향과 반이란 성향을 가지고 있다.
정치적 올바름에 대해 전체적으로 비판적인 입장을 견지하고 있다. "'우리의 다양성이 우리의 힘'이라는 표현이 군에서는 지구상 가장 멍청한 표현이다"라며 DEI[9] 프로그램이나 워크(Woke)에 관여한 장군은 모두 해고해야 한다고 주장한 바 있으며, 여군의 전투 보직에 대해 "우리를 더 효과적이거나 더 치명적으로 만들지 않았고, 전투를 더 복잡하게 만들었다"라고 비난했다. 이 때문에 그가 트럼프 2기 행정부의 첫 국방장관으로 지명된 후 군 물갈이가 이뤄질 것이라는 예측이 나왔다.
Don't ask, don't tell 폐지안을 지지한다고 인사청문회에서 밝혔다. "As the president has stated, I don’t disagree with the overturn of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell." "(트럼프) 대통령께서 말씀하신 대로, 저는 Don't Ask, Don't Tell 정책의 철회에 반대하지 않습니다." # 사실 미군도 지금 인력 부족에 심각한 문제를 겪고 있으며, DADT를 복원한다는 것은 누굴 성적인 문제로 색출해내겠다는게 엄청난 행정력의 낭비일 뿐만 아니라, 남자 엉덩이 한 번 쳐다봤다고 누굴 게이로 고소하고(...) 제적하는 절차를 만들겠다는 매우 쓸데없는 짓이기 때문에 당연한 것이다.
기타 [편집]
ㅇ
Don't ask, don't tell
Don't ask, don't tell , don't pursue, don't harass. 묻지 말라, 말하지 말
namu.wiki
"PC주의는 가장 멍청한 짓"…美 국방장관 후보에 쏠린 시선
"PC주의는 가장 멍청한 짓"…美 국방장관 후보에 쏠린 시선, 김소연 기자, 국제
www.hankyung.com
(나무 위키 제공)
피트 헤그세스
Pete Hegseth
피터 브라이언 헤그세스 (영어: Peter Brian Hegseth, 1980년 6월 6일~)는 미국의 텔레비전 진행자, 작가, 육군방위군 장교이다. 그는 미국의 보수 매체 폭스 뉴스의 정치 평론가였으며, 2025년 재선된 도널드 트럼프 미국 대통령의 제2차 내각에서 국방부 장관으로 지명되었다.[1]
경력
[편집]헤그세스는 미국 육군 주방위군 출신으로, 아프가니스탄 전쟁, 이라크 전쟁에 참전하였다.[2][3] 예비역 소령으로 예편하였다.[4] 소령 예편 이후 폭스 뉴스에서 진행자로 활동하였다.[5] 2016년 도널드 트럼프의 대통령 선거 후보 지명 당시 강력한 지지자였으며, 트럼프의 1기 행정부 시절 고문을 맡았으며 트럼프의 퇴임 후에도 비공식 고문을 맡아왔다.[1]
국방부 장관
[편집]도널드 트럼프 2기 행정부의 국방부 장관으로 지명되었다.
"국방장관으로 피트 헤그세스를 지명한다는 사실을 발표하게 되어 영광입니다. 피트는 평생을 군대와 조국을 위해 전사로 살아왔습니다. 피트는 강인하고 똑똑하며 미국 우선주의의 진정한 신봉자입니다. 그가 지휘를 맡으면 미국의 적들은 주의를 기울일 것입니다. 우리 군은 다시 위대해질 것이고, 미국은 절대 물러서지 않을 것입니다."
— 트럼프의 지명 성명 (2024년 11월 12일)
청문회에서 그의 행적에 대한 여러 논란이 제기되었으나[6][7], 미국 상원에서 JD 밴스 부통령의 투표로 가까스로 국방부 장관로 임명되었다.[8
Pete Hegseth29th United States Secretary of Defense(or Secretary of War[a])PresidentDeputyPreceded byPersonal detailsBornPolitical partySpousesChildrenEducationSignatureMilitary serviceBranch/serviceYears of serviceRankUnitBattles/warsAwards
United States Army
Army National Guard
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Pete Hegse th29th United States Secretary of Defense(or Secretary of War[a])
President Deputy Preceded by Personal details Born Political party SpousesChildren
Education Signature Military service Branch
service Years of service Rank Unit Battles
wars Awards
Peter Brian Hegseth (born June 6, 1980) is an American author, former television personality, and former Army National Guard officer who has served since 2025 as the 29th United States secretary of defense.
Hegseth studied politics at Princeton University, where he was the publisher of The Princeton Tory, a conservative student newspaper. In 2003, he was commissioned as an infantry officer in the Minnesota Army National Guard, serving at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base and deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. Hegseth worked for several organizations after leaving Iraq, including as an executive director at Vets for Freedom and Concerned Veterans for America. He became a contributor to Fox News in 2014. Hegseth served as an advisor to President Donald Trump after supporting his campaign in 2016. From 2017 to 2024, Hegseth co-hosted Fox & Friends Weekend. He has written several books, including American Crusade (2020) and The War on Warriors (2024).
In November 2024, President-elect Trump named Hegseth as his nominee for secretary of defense. In a Senate Committee on Armed Services hearing held days before Trump's second inauguration, Hegseth faced allegations of sexual misconduct, financial mismanagement, and excessive drinking. Hegseth was confirmed by the Senate that month, with Vice President JD Vance casting a tie-breaking vote. It was only the second time in US history that a Cabinet nominee's confirmation was decided by a vice president (following Betsy DeVos during the first Trump administration in 2017). Hegseth is the second-youngest secretary of defense (after Donald Rumsfeld).
Early life and education
Peter Brian Hegseth was born on June 6, 1980, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.[3] He is of Norwegian descent.[4] He was the first child of Brian and Penelope[5] "Penny" (Haugen) Hegseth.[6][b][8] Hegseth's father was a basketball coach for high schools across Minnesota before retiring in 2019;[6] his mother is an executive business coach[9] who has taught with the Minnesota Excellence in Public Service (MEPS) Series, a fellowship and leadership program for Republican and center-right women.[5] Hegseth was raised in Forest Lake, Minnesota,[10] and attended Forest Lake Area High School.[11] He graduated in 1999 as valedictorian. [12]
After high school, Hegseth enrolled at Princeton University,[13] where he majored in politics. According to Reserve & National Guard Magazine, he chose Princeton over an offer from the United States Military Academy to play for the school's basketball team.[14] Months before the September 11 attacks, Hegseth joined the Reserve Officers' Training Corps.[15] During his years at Princeton, Hegseth[12] was publisher and editor-in-chief of The Princeton Tory, the school's conservative student newspaper.[16]
In April 2002, Hegseth declared that as publisher of The Princeton Tory, he would "defend the pillars of Western civilization against the distractions of diversity".[17] The editors of The Princeton Tory criticized Halle Berry for accepting the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in Monster's Ball (2001) "on behalf of an entire race", and The New York Times for announcing that it would print gay marriage announcements, arguing that it would justify publishing marriage announcements for incestuous, zoophilic, and pedophilic relationships.[18] In October, The Princeton Tory published an editorial calling homosexuality immoral. In response, the president of Princeton's student government, Nina Langsam, wrote a strongly worded email to Hegseth and The Princeton Tory's publisher, Brad Simmons. Her email was published in the following issue.[19][20]
Career
Military service (2003–2006, 2010–2014, 2019–2021)
After graduating from Princeton in 2003, Hegseth was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Army through the university's Reserve Officers' Training Corps program.[10][21] He briefly worked as an equity-markets analyst at Bear Stearns.[16] Hegseth completed his basic training at Fort Benning in Columbus, Georgia, in 2004,[14] and for 11 months he was a Minnesota Army National Guardsman at Guantanamo Bay detention camp.[21] There, he led a platoon of soldiers from the New Jersey Army National Guard[15] guarding detainees.[16] By July 2005, he had returned to Bear Stearns;[21] shortly thereafter, he volunteered in the Iraq War as an infantry officer,[14] where he received a Bronze Star Medal.[16] Hegseth served in the 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment[15] in the 101st Airborne Division, led by Colonel Michael D. Steele.[22] He began his tour in Baghdad before moving to Samarra,[10] where he served as a civil affairs officer,[23] working with the city council and forming an alliance with councilmember Asaad Ali Yaseen.[10] Hegseth has described a near-death experience in Iraq in which a rocket-propelled grenade hit his vehicle but failed to detonate.[24]
In 2011, Hegseth was commissioned into the Minnesota Army National Guard as a captain.[10] He volunteered to teach at the Counterinsurgency Training Center in Kabul, Afghanistan, for eight months,[10] during the withdrawal of United States troops from Afghanistan;[22] he taught one of the final classes at the school.[15] After completing his tour in 2014, he was promoted to major[16] and enlisted in the Individual Ready Reserve.[14] Through the reserve, he joined the District of Columbia Army National Guard in June 2019 as a traditional drilling service member, remaining in duty until March 2021.[25] He was barred from serving on duty at the inauguration of Joe Biden after a guardsman flagged Hegseth as an "insider threat", noting a tattoo on his biceps of the words Deus vult.[26] He left the Individual Ready Reserve in January 2024, writing in his book The War on Warriors (2024) that he resigned over the incident.[27]
Political activism (2006–2016)
By August 2006,[15] Hegseth moved to Manhattan and began working at the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research,[10] where he met a marine who was working for Vets for Freedom, a political advocacy organization.[16] He began working for Vets for Freedom in 2006 as an unpaid director;[28] by 2007, he was working full-time as an executive director,[29] and by 2008, he became the organization's president.[28] In May 2007, Hegseth appeared at a presidential campaign fundraiser for John McCain.[30] In the months leading up to the 2008 United States presidential election, Vets for Freedom began supporting McCain.[31] As the group's chairman, he criticized Democratic nominee Barack Obama for supporting "a dangerous policy of irreversible withdrawal."[32] By January 2009, Vets for Freedom had accrued hundreds of thousands of dollars in unpaid bills, leading to an internal campaign to oust Hegseth. The group merged with Military Families United, and he was removed from leadership by 2011.[16]
After returning to Minnesota in February 2012,[10] Hegseth decided to enter the Republican primary for the United States Senate election in Minnesota and had selected a campaign manager, Anne Neu Brindley.[33] By April, his campaign had raised US$160,000.[34] Hegseth lost to Kurt Bills in the Republican convention in May,[35] and withdrew his nomination days later.[36] He founded MN PAC to support similar candidates, though a third of the organization's funds were given to his friends and family.[16] Hegseth began working for Concerned Veterans of America, a group funded by the Koch brothers,[37] that year.[38] The group criticized Obama for the 2014 Veterans Health Administration controversy.[39] Hegseth enrolled in the Harvard Kennedy School in 2009, but completed just one semester;[10] he graduated in 2013 with a degree in public policy.[12] In 2022,[40] to protest the offering of classes in critical race theory at Harvard University, he reportedly wrote "Return to sender" on his degree[41] and sent it back to the university.[42]
Hegseth left Concerned Veterans for America in January 2016[43] after allegations of financial mismanagement and alcoholism.[16] In December, President-elect Donald Trump considered Hegseth for secretary of veterans affairs, but he faced opposition from veterans groups who viewed Hegseth's support for allowing all veterans to choose private doctors as untenable; Paul Rieckhoff, the executive director of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, said that selecting Hegseth would "be war" and "a radical departure" for the department.[43] Trump later chose David Shulkin, with The Washington Post noting Hegseth's lack of experience in operating a large organization.[44] Hegseth told podcaster Shawn Ryan that Trump found him too young to assume the position.[45] After Shulkin fell out of favor with the Trump administration in March 2018, Hegseth positioned himself as a potential candidate,[46] but Trump selected Robert Wilkie after consulting Hegseth and financier Isaac Perlmutter.[47]
Fox News (2014–2024)
By June 2014, Hegseth was given a position as a regular contributor to Fox News[48] by the network's executive, Roger Ailes.[49] In 2016, he was briefly a host on TheBlaze[50] before regularly hosting Fox & Friends Weekend that year after Ailes's resignation, becoming an official co-host in January 2017.[49] According to a Fox News executive in Hoax (2020), Jennifer Rauchet, a producer of Fox & Friends Weekend who later married him, "was favoring Pete with airtime" and "kept putting Pete on TV."[51] Hegseth served as a temporary host for Laura Ingraham on The Ingraham Angle in an effort by the network to promote other staffers; the change occurred during the boycott of The Ingraham Angle after comments Ingraham made about David Hogg, an activist and survivor of the Parkland high school shooting.[52] He hosted All-American New Year (2018) with commentator Lisa Kennedy.[53]
Hegseth's opinions expressed on Fox & Friends influenced Trump's policymaking in his first term. In October 2018, as a migrant caravan began traveling to the United States, Trump claimed that "unknown Middle Easterners" had infiltrated the caravan. Trump apparently cited a comment that Hegseth had made on Fox & Friends, though Hegseth said he had not verified his statement's accuracy.[54] Hegseth had apparently based his claim on a statement Guatemalan president Jimmy Morales made after capturing 100 ISIS fighters in the country.[55] In negotiations to avert a federal government shutdown, Democrats neared a deal until Hegseth urged Trump not to support a deal that did not include US$5 billion for his border wall.[56] Trump repeated claims Hegseth had made correlating video games with mass shootings after two mass shootings in El Paso and in Dayton in August 2019.[57] Hegseth said he had spoken to Trump about pardoning war criminals Clint Lorance and Mathew L. Golsteyn, as well as reversing the demotion of Eddie Gallagher.[58]
At Fox News, Hegseth was the subject of multiple lawsuits. In 2015, he threw an axe during a Flag Day event in New York City, accidentally hitting a drummer from the United States Military Academy. Video of the incident circulated widely online. The drummer, Jeff Prosperie, alleged that he had suffered "severe and serious personal injuries to his mind and body" and "permanent effects of pain, disability, disfigurement and loss of body function." Prosperie sued Hegseth three years later;[59] the suit was resolved in an unspecified way in 2019.[60] In Dominion Voting Systems v. Fox News Network (2023), Dominion Voting Systems included a segment of Fox & Friends Weekend featuring Hegseth with co-hosts Will Cain and Rachel Campos-Duffy, in which they did not reject claims by Rudy Giuliani that the company's voting machines facilitated voting fraud.[61]
Hegseth was chosen among Fox News's hosts to be featured on Fox Nation, the network's streaming service.[62] To promote the service, he co-hosted a one-hour special, Fox Nation First Look, with Jesse Watters, Tomi Lahren, Britt McHenry, and Tyrus.[63] On Fox Nation, Hegseth hosted The Miseducation of America (2022–2023), a television program criticizing "the Left's educational agenda".[64] He also hosted the series Battle in the Holy Land (2019–2023),[65] The Life of Jesus (2022–2023), and the special Battle in Bethlehem (2019), on the service.[21]
Secretary of Defense (2025–present)
Nomination and confirmation
On November 12, 2024, President-elect Donald Trump named Hegseth as his nominee for secretary of defense,[66] after Arkansas senator Tom Cotton announced he would not serve as secretary.[67] Hegseth subsequently ended his contract with Fox News.[40] The selection of Hegseth was seen as a sign that Trump sought to appoint a loyalist to lead the Department of Defense,[c] and his relative lack of experience surprised officials in the department.[d] According to Vanity Fair, Trump's transition team became aware the following day of a sexual assault allegation involving Hegseth that occurred in Monterey, California, seven years prior;[74] The Washington Post reported that senior officials on the team were surprised by the allegation and reconsidered his nomination.[75] Despite the allegation, Trump defended Hegseth[76] and several Republican senators indicated that they would support him.[77] His nomination was threatened by an article from Jane Mayer in The New Yorker detailing alleged financial mismanagement and alcohol issues while leading his veterans' groups,[16] while an NBC News article reported that his drinking habits concerned his colleagues at Fox News;[78] The New York Times reported in December that Trump had begun to consider Florida governor Ron DeSantis as an alternative.[79]
In an effort to retain his nomination amid controversies, Hegseth began a campaign that month. Advisors to Trump privately sought to persuade him to support Hegseth in fear that it would embolden recalcitrant Republican senators, while he could not garner support for DeSantis, according to The New York Times. In addition, the Times reported that Vice President-elect JD Vance had led a group of Republicans, including Donald Trump Jr., former Trump aide Steve Bannon, political activist Charlie Kirk, and Breitbart News reporter Matt Boyle.[80] Trump allies took a direct approach to addressing the controversies, including an interview with Megyn Kelly that impressed Trump.[81] Hegseth appeared at the United States Capitol;[82] Trump publicly reaffirmed his support for Hegseth afterwards.[83] The visit gave Iowa senator Joni Ernst, who had threatened his nomination, a positive impression of Hegseth.[84]
Hegseth appeared before the Senate Committee on Armed Services on January 14. He positioned himself as a "warrior" while denying the allegations and his previous claims that women should not serve in combat roles. Hegseth was criticized by Democrats over allegations of sexual misconduct, financial mismanagement, and alcohol issues.[85] Rhode Island senator Jack Reed, the committee's ranking member, noted that Hegseth had used the term "jagoff" in his book The War on Warriors (2024) to derogatorily refer to a Judge Advocate General officer who reprimanded him on the use of rocket-propelled grenades.[86] He did not answer a question from Virginia senator Tim Kaine on whether or not sexual assault, drinking, or infidelity were disqualifying.[87] The Committee on Armed Services voted to advance his nomination 14–13 along party lines on January 20, after Trump was inaugurated.[88] Hegseth's former sister-in-law, Danielle, sent an affidavit to senators alleging that he was abusive to his second wife, Samantha, and that he had issues with over-consumption of alcohol.[89] Hegseth denied having a drinking problem and pledged not to drink if confirmed.[90]
Hegseth being sworn in by Vice President JD VanceOn January 24, Hegseth was confirmed by the Senate in a 51–50 vote. Every Republican senator, with the exception of Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, and Mitch McConnell, voted to confirm him, while every Democratic senator opposed his nomination, leading to a 50–50 vote. Vance cast a tie-breaking vote to confirm Hegseth.[91] His confirmation was threatened by Senator Thom Tillis, who told Senate majority leader John Thune the day before that he would not vote for Hegseth on the basis of his sexual assault allegations. Persuaded by Vance,[92] Tillis expressed support for Hegseth on X minutes before the vote.[93] His confirmation was the second in US history to be decided by a vice president, after Betsy DeVos's confirmation for secretary of education in 2017.[94]
Hegseth was sworn in as secretary of defense on January 25 by Vice President JD Vance.[95] Hegseth identified several priorities for the Department of Defense, including to "revive the warrior ethos", restore trust in the military, redevelop the nation's industrial base, ease the department's process to purchase weaponry, defend the US domestically, engage with Indo-Pacific to deter China, and support Trump's effort to "end wars responsibly"—including the Russo-Ukrainian War and the Middle Eastern crisis.[96]
Initial actions
In a call to Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu a day after being sworn in, Hegseth said that the United States was "fully committed" to the security of Israel.[97] Hegseth revoked the security clearance and detail of Mark Milley, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and chief of staff of the Army who later became a critic of Trump, and ordered an inspector general inquiry into Milley's tenure as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; the inspector general of the Department of Defense, Robert Storch, was removed from his position when Trump dismissed several inspectors general.[98] According to The Washington Post, the Department of Defense Education Activity began removing certain books on immigration and sexuality.[99]
Hegseth visited the Mexico–United States border with Tom Homan, Trump's border czar, in El Paso, Texas, in February, where he stated that the federal government intended to gain complete "operational control of the southern border".[100] He renamed Fort Liberty to Fort Bragg, its original name honoring the Confederate general Braxton Bragg. The military base was now renamed for Roland L. Bragg, a soldier who served in World War II.[101] In a meeting before the Ukraine Defense Contact Group at NATO headquarters, he opposed NATO membership for Ukraine and said that returning Ukraine's borders prior to the annexation of Crimea by Russia was "unrealistic".[102] The Department of Defense invited Jack Posobiec, an alt-right political activist to accompany Hegseth, according to The Washington Post.[103] Hegseth moderated his comments the following day, stating that it would be possible for Ukraine to join NATO given Trump's discretion.[104]
In February 2025, Hegseth ordered officials within the Department of Defense to reduce funding on most initiatives[105] and began a purge from within the department,[106] firing three top judge advocate generals and Lisa Franchetti, the chief of naval operations.[107][108] Hegseth stated that "we want lawyers who give sound constitutional advice" rather than "roadblocks to anything".[109] In March, he ordered US Cyber Command to halt offensive operations against Russia, in an apparent effort to encourage Russian president Vladimir Putin to negotiate an end to the Russo-Ukrainian War.[110] Also that month, the Defense Department canceled 91 of its research studies, including those on climate change impacts and social trends, while Hegseth later stated that the Defense Department "does not do climate change crap."[111] Separately, the Trump administration instructed Hegseth to "immediately" present "credible military options to ensure fair and unfettered US military and commercial access to the Panama Canal".[112]
In April 2025, Hegseth issued a directive to the secretary of the Army ordering on a sweeping overhaul, prioritizing defending the homeland and deterring China in the Indo-Pacific. Among others, the directive instructing a consolidated budget lines in unmanned systems, counter-drone systems and electronic warfare, force structure changes and expanded use of other transaction agreements. The directive also instructed to downsize or close redundant headquarters as well as merging Army Futures Command and Training and Doctrine Command, and merging four-star headquarters Army Forces Command with Army North and Army South into a single headquarters focused on homeland defense[113] as well as the elimination of at least 20% of four-star general positions to enhance efficiency and operational effectiveness.[114] Hegseth also signed a memorandum to reduce the Department of Defense's civilian workforce, aiming to eliminate duplicative efforts and excessive bureaucracy. The initiative includes offering voluntary early retirement and deferred resignation programs to incentivize top performers and enhance efficiency.[115]
Information disclosures and use of Signal
In March 2025, Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, reported that he had been accidentally included by Mike Waltz in a Signal group chat where Hegseth shared information about attacks in Yemen hours before they occurred.[116] The discussions involved US officials, including Vance and secretary of state Marco Rubio. According to The New York Times, several officials with the Department of Defense expressed shock at the incident, while various former national security officials noted the potential for espionage amid ongoing efforts by China to obtain telecommunications records. A spokesperson for the National Security Council confirmed Goldberg's report and the authenticity of the messages. Hegseth rejected that war plans were shared and called Goldberg "deceitful" and a "discredited so-called journalist".[117][118] Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said no classified information was shared and CIA director John Ratcliffe said Signal was authorized for the group chat.[119]
The incident distressed Hegseth, who threatened to use a polygraph on Christopher W. Grady, the acting chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.[120] Goldberg later published most of the Signal chat.[121] The chat showed that Hegseth posted information including the launch times of F-18 aircraft, MQ-9 drones and Tomahawk missiles, as well as the time when the F-18 aircraft would reach their targets, and the time when the bombs would land.[122][123] Hegseth commented on the chat, writing that there were: "No names. No targets. No locations. No units. No routes. No sources. No methods. And no classified information".[124] The incident led to criticism from both Republicans and Democrats.[125] After the Signal leak, media outlet Der Spiegel searched the Internet using a commercial information provider and password leaks, which revealed Hegseth's personal mobile number, personal email address and its password, and WhatsApp account.[126]
The Wall Street Journal reported that Hegseth had brought his wife to two meetings with foreign defense officials in which sensitive information was discussed, one meeting in February, at Brussels, with NATO officials, and the other in March, at the Pentagon, with British Defense Secretary John Healey.[127] Meanwhile, the Associated Press reported in March that Hegseth's brother, Phil, was listed by the Trump administration as a senior adviser to Hegseth, accompanying Hegseth to meetings, including in Congress, and on official foreign trips.[7] Phil, who previously worked in podcasting and media relations, was confirmed by Hegseth's office to be working in the Pentagon as a Department of Homeland Security liaison to the Department of Defense.[7] That month, The Washington Post detailed a memorandum written by Hegseth orienting the department towards deterring a potential invasion of Taiwan and supporting homeland defense by "assuming risk" in Europe. The document contained passages that were identical to those present in Project 2025.[128]
In April, the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General announced an inquiry into Hegseth's disclosure of classified information in the Signal chat.[129] That month, The New York Times reported that Hegseth had shared details on the attack in a second Signal chat with his wife, brother, and personal lawyer.[130] At the White House Easter Egg Roll, Hegseth suggested that the revelations were a coordinated smear campaign.[131] John Ullyot, the former spokesman for the Department of Defense, wrote in a Politico Magazine opinion piece hours later that the department was in a "full-blown meltdown" and warned that Hegseth was at risk of losing his position.[132]
According to NPR, the White House began looking for a secretary of defense to replace Hegseth the following day.[133] Nonetheless, he retained support from Trump,[134] who privately did not seek to relitigate a grueling Senate confirmation, enjoyed Hegseth's presence and appearance on television, and believed that firing him would lead to questions over Waltz's retention, while he publicly associated the controversy to "disgruntled employees" and boasted of Hegseth's work.[135][136] Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, stated that "the entire Pentagon is working against" Hegseth.[137] Representative Don Bacon became the first Republican House member to urge that Hegseth be fired.[138]
According to The Washington Post, Hegseth had Signal installed on his computer to circumvent cellular communication issues and to communicate with other Trump officials easier.[139] CNN later reported that Ricky Buria, a former aide to secretary of defense Lloyd Austin, had set up Signal on Hegseth's computer.[140] According to the Associated Press, the computer was on an unsecured internet line that was not using one of the Department of Defense's IP addresses.[141]
At least five political appointees within the Department of Defense resigned by April 24.[120] That day, Joe Kesper, Hegseth's chief of staff, resigned, but stated that he would remain at the department as a special government employee.[142] The firings and resignations led to a crisis within the Department of Defense that was described as a "free-for-all" by one employee who spoke to Politico.[143] Hegseth received criticism from Senate Democrats over alleged civilian deaths in the Yemen strikes.[144] In the same month, Sean Parnell, Justin Fulcher, Patrick Weaver, and Ricky Buria were announced as new senior advisers.[145]
Political positions
Domestic issues
in the United States
Hegseth holds strongly conservative views and is regarded as a Christian nationalist.[e] In his book American Crusade (2020), Hegseth characterized "Americanism" as being opposition to movements such as feminism, globalism, Marxism, and progressivism, equated democracy to a leftist demand, and expressed support for election-rigging through gerrymandering to "screw Democrats".[146] He described progressives and Democrats as enemies of freedom, as well as the United States and the Constitution. Hegseth has said that victory for America includes the end of globalism, socialism, secularism, environmentalism, Islamism, genderism, and leftism.[149] He has repeated false claims of electoral fraud in the 2020 presidential election and spread conspiracy theories about Antifa involvement in the January 6 attack.[150]
Hegseth initially supported Florida senator Marco Rubio in the 2016 Republican Party presidential primaries, but later began to favor Texas senator Ted Cruz and finally Donald Trump.[151] He defended Trump's policies in his first term, including his interactions with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un, the 2020–2021 US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan, and the assassination of Qasem Soleimani.[22] While on Fox News in 2016, Hegseth was highly critical of Hillary Clinton due to her email controversy, where he indicated that "recklessness in handling information" would normally lead to job firings and criminal prosecution, while risking foreign governments gaining access to the information and damage to relationships with allied countries.[f]
In an interview with the National Review in March 2012, Hegseth advocated for premium support in Medicare and removing fee-for-service. He opposed a contraception mandate and described the Keystone Pipeline as a dichotomy between "jobs and an environmental-impact study", and that he was "always going to side with jobs."[10] On Fox & Friends in 2019, Hegseth described climate change as an attempt at government control.[157] In March 2025, he canceled climate change studies and decried the phenomenon as "crap" on social media.[158] That month, he sought to eliminate climate planning from the Department of Defense but included an exception for extreme weather preparation.[159]
Foreign policy
In November 2009, Hegseth supported sending additional forces into Afghanistan during the War in Afghanistan.[160] He advocated for withdrawing from Afghanistan in his interview with the National Review, but argued that special operators should remain in the country and that the Afghan Army should be supported to avert a conflict.[10]
Hegseth has criticized NATO and the United Nations.[161][162] After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, he called Putin a war criminal;[163] he later told Fox News host Harris Faulkner that the invasion was less significant than "wokeness" and crime.[164] He has criticized United States military aid to Ukraine.[161] In January 2020, he supported Donald Trump's threat for the destruction of Iranian cultural sites.[165][166]
Hegseth has supported the premiership of Benjamin Netanyahu. After Netanyahu was expected to be criminally charged in March 2019 for alleged bribery and fraud, he posted a video of Hegseth describing him as a "great friend to the United States".[167] He has argued that the Chinese government is "building a military to defeat the United States" and repeated claims by Trump that "tens of thousands of Chinese nationals" have been sent to the Mexico–United States border.[168] In May 2020, Hegseth said the "communist Chinese" want to "end our civilization".[169]
Military affairs
In a Yale Political Union speech in October 2008, Hegseth disagreed with "Don't ask, don't tell", the United States's position on homosexuality in the military, but noted that "Radical Islam is a far greater threat."[170] In a podcast interview with Shawn Ryan in November 2024, Hegseth stated that women should not serve in combat roles.[171]
Hegseth opposed Operation Iron Triangle, a raid in August 2006 that resulted in the death of three Iraqi men, as "atrocities" to an audience at the University of Virginia. He has criticized the US military for accusing soldiers of committing war crimes.[15]
In September 2025, Hegseth said that the US military would start focusing more on offense, lethality and violent effect, beyond defense, legality and political correctness.[172] He later announced an assembly of about 800 top military officers at Quantico, Virginia,[173][174][175] which took place on September 30,[176][177] and included an appearance by the President.[178]
Personal life
Marriages
In 2004, Hegseth married Meredith Schwarz, a graduate of Forest Lake Area High School, at the Cathedral of Saint Paul in Minnesota; they were voted "most likely to marry" by their graduating class. Meredith filed for divorce in December 2008 after Hegseth admitted to five affairs; he had been dating Samantha Deering, whom he had met at Vets for Freedom. Hegseth married Deering, with whom he has three children, in 2010; they filed for divorce in 2017.[2][9] In 2019, Hegseth married Jennifer Rauchet, a producer on Fox & Friends, at Trump National Golf Club Colts Neck in New Jersey, in an event attended by the Trump family.[179]
Abuse and sexual assault allegations
In November 2024, Vanity Fair reported that Hegseth had allegedly sexually assaulted a woman at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa on Del Monte Golf Course in Monterey, California, in October 2017, when he was scheduled to speak at the California Federation of Republican Women convention. According to the Monterey Police Department, Hegseth was investigated in connection with two incidents of sexual assault that occurred shortly before midnight and 7 a.m. the following morning. He was not criminally charged.[180] The Washington Post reported that Hegseth had paid the accuser as part of a non-disclosure agreement after she threatened litigative action in 2020. In addition, the paper obtained a memorandum provided to Donald Trump's presidential transition team by an associate of the accuser, a 30-year-old conservative group staffer, that alleged that Hegseth raped her.[181] Hegseth's lawyer, Timothy Parlatore, later confirmed the reports, but said that the staffer was attempting to extort Hegseth, a purported "victim of blackmail and innocent collateral damage",[181] during the #MeToo movement, risking his career.[182] The Associated Press reported in January 2025 that Hegseth had paid her US$50,000.[183]
Records released by the Monterey Police Department later that month provided additional details on the incident. The accuser told police that she had confronted Hegseth, who informed her that he was a "nice guy", after he had acted "inappropriately" with women at the event. She recalled being in an undisclosed room with Hegseth, who allegedly took her phone and blocked the door,[184] where he then allegedly raped her.[185] The accuser said that "things got fuzzy" and told a nurse days later that she had believed she had been drugged. Hegseth told police that he had sought to ensure she was comfortable. Video surveillance footage showed Hegseth and the accuser walking, with her smiling. Two women who were interviewed by police stated that Hegseth had put his hand on their thighs and asked them to go to his hotel room, with one woman saying that she had asked the accuser to get him off of her.[184] According to CNN, the accuser went to a hospital to report a sexual assault and obtained a rape kit test in the emergency room.[186] The rape kit exam served as the impetus for the Monterey Police Department's investigation. Hegseth told police that he did have sex with the woman but that it was consensual.[187] Monterey County district attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni declined to file charges in January 2018, saying that proof beyond a reasonable doubt was not established.[183]
You are an abuser of women — that is the ugly truth and I have no respect for any man that belittles, lies, cheats, sleeps around, and uses women for his own power and ego. You are that man (and have been for years)
In November 2024, The New York Times obtained an email from Hegseth's mother, Penny, from April 2018, accusing her son of having mistreated women for years. After the Times's reporting, Penny told the paper that she had "immediately apologized in a separate email" and that her words were written "in anger, with emotion".[9] She defended her son on Fox News, saying he was "redeemed, forgiven, changed."[190] In January 2025, NBC News reported that Samantha's sister Danielle had sent an affidavit to senators alleging that he had made his wife concerned for her safety, with Samantha said to have once hid in a closet and to have formed an escape plan that was once used. Hegseth's lawyer Parlatore dismissed the allegations.[89]
Religion
In In the Arena (2016), Hegseth described his Christian faith as initially "more out of diligent habit than deep conviction". Following the September 11 attacks, he developed a hatred for Islamic terrorism, and "he found himself repelled by the campus chapel's 'gospel of moral relativism,' and disparaged his fellow students for focusing on peace and 'mutual understanding' rather than 'condemnations of Islamic terrorism'".[21] He told Nashville Christian Family that he experienced a religious transformation in 2018 after he and his wife, Jennifer, began attending the Colts Neck Community Church in New Jersey. Seeking to send their children to Jonathan Edwards Classical Academy, a Christian school, the Hegseths moved to Nashville, Tennessee, three years later. There, they joined the Pilgrim Hill Reformed Fellowship, a church in the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches (CREC).[191][192] Hegseth is a supporter of CREC co-founder Douglas Wilson. In August 2025, he favorably shared a video from CNN featuring Wilson, with Hegseth commenting on a video that included a pastor from Wilson's church calling for the repeal of women's right to vote, another pastor stating that husbands should cast votes for their entire household, and Wilson stating that women should not hold leadership positions in the military.[193]
Tattoos
Hegseth has several tattoos, including one across his right biceps reading Deus vult, a Christian phrase associated with divine providence and God's will,[194] as well as a tattoo of the Jerusalem cross on his right breast; the combination of Deus Vult and the cross has been associated with right-wing extremist groups.[g] Hegseth also has a tattoo near the Deus vult tattoo reading kafir (transl. unbeliever) in Arabic, garnering criticism from some Muslims, who accused him of Islamophobia.[197] In addition, he has a tattoo of the political cartoon Join, or Die, a cross and sword with Hebrew lettering reading Yeshua, and the words We the People on his right forearm, as well as the coat of arms of the 187th Infantry Regiment on his back, including its motto Ne Desit Virtus or "Let Valor Not Fail".[198] In 2024, Hegseth said that concerns over his Jerusalem cross tattoo caused the District of Columbia National Guard to pull him from a mission to guard the inauguration of President Joe Biden and helped spur him to retire from the military.[199] According to the fact checking website Snopes, at least three of Hegseth's tattoos depict symbols associated with Christian nationalist views, though Hegseth may not adhere to those views himself.[200]
Sports
Hegseth played for his high school's football team and was a point guard on the basketball team, earning school records in career and single-season three-point shots and single-season three-point shooting percentage. Hegseth was twice named all-conference and earned all-state honors as a senior.[12]
Awards and decorations
Hegseth's awards and decorations include:[201][202]
| Combat Infantryman Badge | |||||||||||
| Bronze Star Medal with bronze oak leaf cluster |
Joint Service Commendation Medal | Army Commendation Medal with bronze oak leaf cluster |
|||||||||
| National Defense Service Medal | Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two bronze service stars |
Iraq Campaign Medal with two bronze service stars |
|||||||||
| Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal | Global War on Terrorism Service Medal | Armed Forces Reserve Medal | |||||||||
| Army Service Ribbon | Overseas Service Ribbon | NATO Medal | |||||||||
In addition, Hegseth was awarded the Expert Infantryman Badge, making him a de facto recipient of the Master Combat Infantryman Badge.[202]
Written works
Hegseth published his memoir, In the Arena: Good Citizens, a Great Republic, and How One Speech Can Reinvigorate America, in 2016.[21] In May 2020, he released American Crusade: Our Fight to Stay Free.[192] In October, Fox News Media reached a three-book agreement with HarperCollins to publish books by Fox News hosts, beginning with Hegseth's Modern Warriors: Real Stories from Real Heroes in November.[203] He co-authored Battle for the American Mind: Uprooting a Century of Miseducation with David Goodwin, the president of the Association of Classical Christian Schools, in 2022.[204] In June 2024, Hegseth published The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free.[205] American Crusade, Modern Warriors, Battle for the American Mind, and The War on Warriors have reached The New York Times Best Seller list.[12] He wrote the foreword to The Case Against the Establishment (2017), a book written by Nick Adams and Dave Erickson.[206]
The above list of works by publication year:
- In the Arena: Good Citizens, a Great Republic, and How One Speech Can Reinvigorate America, 2016
- The Case Against the Establishment, 2017
- American Crusade: Our Fight to Stay Free, 2020
- Modern Warriors: Real Stories from Real Heroes, 2020
- Battle for the American Mind: Uprooting a Century of Miseducation, 2022
- The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free, 2024
The Wall Street Journal - Wikipedia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia American daily business newspaper The Wall Street Journal (WSJ; also referred to simply as the Journal) is an American newspaper based in New York City. The newspaper provides extensive coverage of news, especially bus
en.wikipedia.org
Pete Hegseth - Wikipedia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia American government official (born 1980) Peter Brian Hegseth (born June 6, 1980) is an American author, former television personality, and former Army National Guard officer who has served since 2025 as the 29th United
en.wikipedia.org
The Wall Street Journal - Wikipedia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia American daily business newspaper The Wall Street Journal (WSJ; also referred to simply as the Journal) is an American newspaper based in New York City. The newspaper provides extensive coverage of news, especially bus
en.wikipedia.org
The Wall Street Journal - Wikipedia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia American daily business newspaper The Wall Street Journal (WSJ; also referred to simply as the Journal) is an American newspaper based in New York City. The newspaper provides extensive coverage of news, especially bus
en.wikipedia.org
L80 미 전쟁장관 헤그세스, 현역 별 수백 소집한 이유.
