United States Secretary of Defense
United States Secretary of Defense (2025–)
| Born | 1980-06-06 · Minneapolis |
|---|---|
| Party | Republican |
| Offices |
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| Education | Princeton University (BA) Harvard University (MPP) |
| Military service | United States Army, Army National Guard · 2003–20062010–20142019–2021 · Major · 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, Minnesota Army National Guard, District of Columbia Army National Guard · Iraq War, War in Afghanistan |
| Awards | Bronze Star, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge |
Portrait: U.S. Department of Defense · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
What this person said on the record, as reported, newest first.
Bloomberg Television’s Balance of Power discusses the latest developments on Capitol Hill, including Hegseth’s view that Massie’s bid hurts troops and leadership questions facing both parties after the midterms.
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Bloomberg Television
After a Republican congressman launched an effort to impeach him, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth defended his record. BBC correspondent Gary O’Donoghue breaks down his response.
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BBC News
Hegseth said the effort to impeach him over the Iran war was “not patriotism” but “sabotage.”
TTRT World
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who faces possible impeachment by Congress, urged troops in a social media video to “ignore the noise.” He said the Trump administration was more determined than ever to finish what it had started.
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CNN
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth acknowledged an impeachment threat in a social media video released Thursday. He said it would amount to “the politics of personal destruction” and insisted it would not work against him.
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The Associated Press
VOA’s daily news roundup says War Secretary Hegseth proposed a US-ASEAN defense cooperation framework. It also reports that the Russia-Ukraine ceasefire had held for 30 hours without violations, Israel’s election count remained close, and the US Air Force’s ARRW hypersonic missile entered mass production.
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VOA Chinese
At annual defense talks in the Philippines, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth pledged continued cooperation with Southeast Asian nations and said the United States would defend its own interests and those of its allies in the Pacific.
TThe Associated Press
Hegseth accused Tehran of building a large conventional missile arsenal to deter military action while pursuing what he called “nuclear ambitions.”
TTRT World
The Pentagon says the Army will livestream the upcoming firing-squad execution of Nidal Hasan, who killed 13 people at Fort Hood in 2009. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who backed the decision, called the broadcast a “no-brainer” in an interview.
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Global News
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says the U.S. military will livestream an execution for the first time, making it viewable worldwide. The person due to die by firing squad was the shooter in the 2009 mass shooting at Fort Hood.
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NBC News
Reports that mention this person, by story.
Chief national security correspondent Jennifer Griffin reports that War Secretary Pete Hegseth fired Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia after allegations that he leaked classified military information.
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Fox NewsOriginal★★★☆☆2026-10-30 13:00
Retired Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges said the reported firing of Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia may point to a troubling pattern at the Pentagon. He also criticized the limited public opposition from retired senior commanders to policies they consider harmful, saying he was disappointed and surprised by former four-star generals’ reluctance to speak out.
FFrance 24Original★★★☆☆2026-10-29 18:09
Retired Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges says the reported firing of Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia may reflect a troubling pattern at the Pentagon under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The unexplained dismissals of senior military officers raise fundamental questions about institutional trust and civilian authority’s relationship with military leadership.
FFrance 24 EnglishOriginal★★★☆☆2026-10-29 18:09
Lieutenant General Brett Sylvia was reportedly removed from his post leading strategy, plans and policy on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as Trump played down the Iran peace talks.
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CNBCOriginal★★★☆☆2026-10-29 07:35
VOA’s daily news roundup says War Secretary Hegseth proposed a US-ASEAN defense cooperation framework. It also reports that the Russia-Ukraine ceasefire had held for 30 hours without violations, Israel’s election count remained close, and the US Air Force’s ARRW hypersonic missile entered mass production.
VVOA ChineseOriginal★★★★☆2026-10-28 21:44
At annual defense talks in the Philippines, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth pledged continued cooperation with Southeast Asian nations and said the United States would defend its own interests and those of its allies in the Pacific.
TThe Associated PressOriginal★★★☆☆2026-10-28 11:18
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth meets Southeast Asian counterparts in Cebu, Philippines, during an ASEAN defense ministers’ meeting.
TThe Associated PressOriginal★★★☆☆2026-10-28 05:47
The expected focus when Pete Hegseth meets Southeast Asian counterparts in the Philippines on Wednesday is how firmly Washington backs the Indo-Pacific region.
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ReutersOriginal★★★★☆2026-10-27 23:10
A CNN investigation found that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s senior adviser on religious issues, Ryan Higgins, has shared many racist and homophobic posts, spread conspiracy theories, and repeatedly denigrated Islam and immigrants. Sources say Higgins became a key aide after joining the Pentagon, helping shape Christian nationalist themes in Hegseth’s speeches and public appearances.
CCNNOriginal★★★☆☆2026-10-27 22:30
CNN says Pete Hegseth’s senior adviser on religious matters circulated numerous posts expressing racism, sexism and homophobia, promoted conspiracy theories, and repeatedly disparaged Islam and immigrants.
CCNNOriginal★★★☆☆2026-10-27 20:04