Donald Trump announced today that Pete Hegseth is his pick for Secretary of Defense. Some readers might know him from Fox News. However, many Americans are likely unfamiliar with Hegseth and his history. We’ve assembled a brief history of his life and accomplishments below for those wondering who he is.
Who is Pete Hegseth, Trump’s Secretary of Defense nominee?
According to CNN, Donald Trump announced today that Pete Hegseth will be his nominee for Secretary of Defense, stating:
“Pete has spent his entire life as a Warrior for the Troops, and for the Country. Pete is tough, smart and a true believer in America First. With Pete at the helm, America’s enemies are on notice – Our Military will be Great Again, and America will Never Back Down”
Pete Hegseth Family
Pete Hegseth was born on June 6, 1980, in Forest Lake, Minnesota.
He’s been married three times:
- He married Meredith Schwarz in 2004, and they got divorced in 2009.
- In 2010, Hegseth married Samantha Deering, and he had three children. He cheated on her with Fox executive producer Jennifer Rauchet, and Hegseth and Deering divorced in August 2017.
- Hegseth and Rauchet had a daughter during his extramarital affair, who was born in August 2017. He and Rauchet married in August 2019. She has three children from her first marriage.
In total, Hegseth has four biological children and three stepchildren.
Pete Hegseth Education
In 2003, Hegseth received his Bachelor of Arts at Princeton University. After a pause in his studies, he attended the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, where he received a Master of Public Policy.
Pete Hegseth Military Service
Hegseth is a Major in the United States Army National Guard and currently serves in the Individual Ready Reserve. He deployed to Guantanamo Bay in 2004 as an infantry platoon leader and was later sent to Iraq. He returned to active duty in 2012 and deployed to Afghanistan with the Minnesota Army National Guard, where he served as a senior counterinsurgency instructor at the Counterinsurgency Training Center in Kabul.
During his military career, Hegseth has received the following awards and badges:
- Afghanistan Campaign Medal
- Army Commendation Medal x2
- Bronze Star x2
- Combat Infantryman Badge
- Expert Infantryman Badge
- Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
- Iraq Campaign Medal
- National Defense Service Medal
Pete Hegseth Political Career
After completing his tour in Iraq, Hegseth worked at the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research, a conservative think tank. He then left to become the executive director at Vets For Freedom from 2007 to 2012. He then formed the political action committee MN PAC. He also served as executive director for Concerned Veterans for America until 2015.
In 2012, Hegseth ran for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in Minnesota. However, he withdrew from the race after the convention in May 2012.
Since 2014, Hegseth has been a contributor on Fox News, appearing on Unfiltered with Dan Bongino, Fox & Friends Weekend, and other programs. He’s also appeared on CCN and MNSBC.
Hegseth is a conservative who previously backed Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz, and Donald Trump for president in 2016. He became an outspoken Trump supporter during the president’s first term and has remained so since.
With Pete Hegseth’s nomination as Secretary of Defense, his extensive experience and dedication to military service are expected to play a significant role in shaping the nation’s defense policies. His supporters believe his leadership will strengthen the military and prioritize veterans’ affairs, aligning with the “America First” agenda. Critics, however, may scrutinize his previous political stances and personal history. Only time will tell how his appointment will impact the future of the United States’ defense strategies.
