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.
The USS Abraham Lincoln crew is being relieved after 260 days at sea amid reports of dire conditions aboard. Andrew and Tristan Tate are contesting extradition to the UK on rape charges while alleging harsh conditions in their Miami federal jail. South Korea observes its final summer dog-meat season before a national ban, while the Trump-appointed Kennedy Center board votes to add the president’s name to the building.
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Reuters
A California lawmaker expressed alarm about poor living conditions and suicide attempts aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, which has been deployed since November 2025. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth dismissed the reports as “completely misrepresented.”
RReuters
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Thursday that reports describing poor conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier in the Middle East were “completely misrepresented.”
RReuters
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth cautioned that the International Criminal Court could investigate American strikes on boats in Latin America. He vowed that the United States would continue its campaign against drug cartels. Hegseth also said Colombia had joined a regional military coalition. His remarks link the ongoing anti-cartel campaign with the possibility of scrutiny by an international court.
AAl Jazeera
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth welcomed Colombia on Wednesday into a military-led counter-narcotics coalition. The group brings together like-minded nations from the Western Hemisphere. Colombia joined after its conservative president was inaugurated last week. The move places the country within a regional military and counter-drug framework following the change in leadership.
RReuters
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called on Congress to approve a sharp increase in the Pentagon’s budget. He made the appeal during a Monday ceremony marking the renaming of a military base for the late Sen. Lindsey Graham. The budget push was presented alongside the tribute to Graham. The event combined a military naming ceremony with a request for greater defense spending.
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CNN
Reports that mention this person, by story.
Pete Hegseth has survived an impeachment attempt, but his future is uncertain. Republican Congressman Thomas Massie accused him of waging an unauthorized war with Iran, while fellow Republicans blocked the move. At his first press conference in six months, Hegseth called the impeachment a “farce” and a “stunt”; Trump is standing by him for now.
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BBC NewsOriginal★★★☆☆2026-11-14 16:01
CNN’s Erin Burnett reviews the week’s major stories, including impeachment articles against Hegseth, a Democratic House seat flip in Colorado and Scott Colom’s surprise Senate win in Mississippi, making him the state’s first Black senator in more than 140 years. The program also covers the deepening Nvidia espionage scandal and Trump’s approval of Nvidia chip sales to China despite Jensen Huang’s warning.
CCNNOriginal★★★☆☆2026-11-14 14:00
The day after an Army Sentinel publicly reprimanded Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s group on Veterans Day, Hegseth gave the soldier the Joint Service Commendation.
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ABC NewsOriginal★★☆☆☆2026-11-13 02:45
BBC correspondent Bernd Debusmann explains why Defence Secretary Hegseth’s group was reprimanded at Arlington National Cemetery and the history behind the cemetery’s strict rules of conduct.
BBBC NewsOriginal★★☆☆☆2026-11-12 23:42
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth presented a medal on Thursday to a US Army sentinel who appeared to admonish him and his aides outside the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Veterans Day for not following proper decorum.
RReutersOriginal★★☆☆☆2026-11-12 22:25
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday gave a commendation to the Army sentinel who had rebuked him and his guests over their behavior at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Veterans Day.
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NBC NewsOriginal★★☆☆☆2026-11-12 20:15
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth awarded Specialist Thomas Iglesias the Joint Service Commendation Medal. Iglesias had reprimanded Hegseth and his group after they were heard talking and laughing at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, telling visitors to maintain silence and respect.
DDWOriginal★★☆☆☆2026-11-12 19:07
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth gave a top award to a service member who had scolded him and his staff at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier after a Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.
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The Associated PressOriginal★★☆☆☆2026-11-12 19:00
A soldier who admonished Hegseth’s group after a photo at the Tomb of the Unknowns has received a medal.
AABC NewsOriginal★★☆☆☆2026-11-12 18:40
After a Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, a service member reprimanded Hegseth and his staff at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The next day, the U.S. War Secretary presented that person with a top award.
CCBC NewsOriginal★★★☆☆2026-11-12 18:14