Who is Pete Hegseth? The Fox News anchor turned nominee for Defense secretary
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Pete Hegseth has been put forward for the role of Secretary of Defense by President-elect Donald Trump. But who exactly is this lesser-known figure in Washington, D.C.?
Hegseth's latest position was as a host on the morning show Fox and Friends. This is where many people across the country recognize him, but he is also a writer, a husband, and a father. Additionally, he gained significant online popularity, although this has also led to some legal troubles.
Hegseth is a former military serviceman who achieved the rank of major in the Army while with the Minnesota National Guard. He participated in both the Iraq War and the Afghanistan conflict, receiving several medals for his service. After his time in the military, he took on the role of executive director for the political organizations Vets for Freedom and Concerned Vets for America, all while also making guest appearances on television as a political commentator.
He has now assumed a key role in the government, where he will manage the US military. However, his appointment is pending Senate confirmation, and there are some who have pledged to oppose it.
Here’s a comprehensive overview of Hegseth’s life and history:
He Joined The Military After College
In addition to earning his Bachelor’s degree from Princeton University, Hegseth also obtained a Master’s in public policy from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
After completing his college education, he took a job at the troubled investment bank Bear Stearns. He later left to join the military. Serving with the Minnesota Army National Guard, he held the position of infantry platoon leader in Iraq and served as a captain in Afghanistan. Over the course of his ten-year military career, he was awarded two Bronze Stars, two Army Commendation Medals, and a Combat Infantryman’s Badge.
Hegseth has remained open about his experiences in the military. He even penned a letter to his sons encouraging them to consider serving in the armed forces if they ever decide to, and this letter is included in his book, *The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free.*
"Despite the concerns and uncertainties, I urge you to become part of the American armed forces. Consider this straightforward question: If not me, then who? If not individuals like Gunner, Jackson, Boone, Luke, or Rex Hegseth — who will stand up to defend America?" he stated in the letter. "Are you going to depend on others with different perspectives to take on this responsibility? Our military may have its flaws, but can we really afford to let it weaken? I believe the answer is no."
Fox Host And Author: Meet The Latest Voice
Hegseth began his career at Fox in 2014, when network chief Roger Ailes brought him on as a contributor. In addition to his role on Fox & Friends, he also co-hosted the New Year’s Eve special All-American New Year alongside political commentator Lisa Kennedy Montgomery. He has led various programs on FOX Nation, including Battle in the Holy Land, which focuses on the conflict between Israel and Gaza.
While on the air, Hegseth has openly expressed his views on American policies, arguing that the US is allocating excessive resources to assist Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. He has also passionately supported Israel. In a 2016 interview with The Jewish Press, he likened Israel's establishment as a nation to the American revolution against Britain, framing both events as part of the narrative of "God’s chosen people."
He has authored multiple books for Fox’s publishing division, including *The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free*, which reflects on his experiences in the military. He also expressed his honest opinions about the educational system in *Battle for the American Mind: Uprooting a Century of Miseducation*, and compiled a series of narratives from veterans in *Modern Warriors: Real Stories from Real Heroes*.
Ax-Throwing Incident Becomes An Internet Sensation
In a segment of Fox and Friends back in 2015, Hegseth took part in an axe-throwing challenge that didn't go as planned. Social media videos showed him throwing an axe at a large red target, but he ended up missing completely. Instead of hitting the target, the axe flew over it and struck Jeffrey Prosperie, a drummer with the Hellcats field band from West Point, in the arm. This incident occurred while Prosperie was performing, as his band had been invited to the show to honor the anniversary of the U.S. Army's founding.
Despite Prosperie initiating legal action against Hegseth following the incident, the case was dropped in 2019. Brandon Cotter, Prosperie’s lawyer, informed the Associated Press that “the parties have come to an agreement and won’t be providing any additional comments.”
"Debate: Should Women Serve In Combat Roles?"
The fellow veteran has been vocal about his views on the military and the place of women within it. In a recent appearance on the Shawn Ryan Show, he stated that he believes women should not serve in combat positions.
"It hasn't improved our efficiency or increased our firepower; instead, it's just made combat more complex. We aren't more deadly; we've only added layers of difficulty to fighting," he went on.
Hegseth explained that his comments were specifically aimed at women in the military who take on physically demanding roles, where having strength makes a significant difference.
He added, "Just to clarify for everyone, we’ve all worked with women, and they’re fantastic. However, our organizations don’t need to promote this in situations where, historically, men have typically been seen as more qualified."
He Raises Seven Kids With Wife Jennifer Rauchet
Hegseth has been happily married to television producer Jennifer Rauchet since 2019. Their wedding took place at the Trump National Golf Club in Colts Neck, New Jersey. The couple welcomed their daughter, Gwen, in 2017. Jennifer also has three children from her former marriage.
Before his current relationship, the Fox News personality had two previous marriages. He ended his first marriage with Meredith Schwarz in 2009 and divorced his second wife, Samantha Deering, in 2017. During their time together, Deering and Hegseth had three children.
In a conversation with the Nashville Christian Family last year, he expressed that they are united as a family through God's grace. He emphasized that in the Hegseth family, there are no 'step' or 'half' members.
Nonetheless, it's been reported that Hegeth’s involvement with Rauchet, a producer for Fox’s morning program, began during his marriage. In an interview for Brian Stelter’s 2020 book "Hoax," an executive acknowledged the relationship and noted that Rauchet played favorites with Hegeth. “She kept giving Pete airtime,” the executive revealed.
According to reports, the couple shared details of their relationship with Fox, leading to Rauchet being assigned to another program on the channel.
In addition to highlighting significant milestones in his professional life, Hegseth has revealed one of his favorite pastimes: enjoying football. In December 2023, he posted a photo on Facebook of himself at a bar, cheering on the Minnesota Vikings. He was giving a thumbs up while donning a purple jersey and a matching cap.
Last month, he and his wife took their seven kids to watch the University of Tennessee's football team, the Tennessee Volunteers, play at Neyland Stadium. He captured the experience on Instagram, posting a picture of his children on the field and another of himself and his wife in the stands.
"It’s hard to surpass the excitement of last weekend's events. We scored a significant victory against Alabama, and the students rushed the field in celebration. We also enjoyed some hiking in the Smoky Mountains. This place truly feels like heaven on earth. A big thank you to my new friends—Jani, Joy, Brad, David, and the rest of the crew—who made it all happen," he shared in the post.
