Trump nominates Fox News host Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense

Trump announced he would nominate Pete Hegseth, a Fox News weekend host and Army National Guard veteran, to lead the Defense Department. Hegseth has no senior government or military leadership experience. He has advocated for firing 'woke' military leaders, opposed women in combat roles, and has been critical of diversity initiatives. He holds a bachelor's from Princeton and master's from Harvard, served in Iraq and Afghanistan, and received two Bronze Stars.

"Pete has spent his entire life as a Warrior for the Troops, and for the Country. He will be a courageous and patriotic champion of our 'Peace through Strength' policy." — Official announcement statement, November 12, 2024