In selecting Fox News Channel host Pete Hegseth to lead the Department of Defense, President-elect Donald Trump has chosen a military veteran and prominent conservative media personality with a substantial following. Hegseth, 44, has a close relationship with Trump and was previously considered for a position in the administration. He has advocated for the release of service members accused of war crimes.
Hegseth is a co-host of Fox News Channel's 'Fox & Friends Weekend' and has been a contributor to the network for ten years. He has authored several books, including 'The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free,' which Trump praised for its success on the New York Times best-sellers list.
As a military veteran, Hegseth served as an infantry captain in the Army National Guard, with deployments in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Guantanamo Bay. He also led the Concerned Veterans for America and ran for the Senate in Minnesota in 2012.
Hegseth has defended service members accused of war crimes, lobbying Trump for their pardons. His efforts led to Trump pardoning individuals involved in controversial cases, including a former U.S. Army commando and a decorated Navy SEAL.
If appointed, Hegseth would face a challenging role at the Pentagon amid global crises such as Russia's actions in Ukraine, ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, and escalating tensions with North Korea. The position of defense secretary was tumultuous during Trump's first term, with frequent turnover and strained relationships between the president and military leaders.
