Who is Pete Hegseth? The Fox News anchor turned nominee for Defense secretary
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Pete Hegseth has been put forward as a candidate for Secretary of Defense by President-elect Donald Trump. But who exactly is this relatively unfamiliar figure in Washington, D.C.?
Hegseth's latest position was as a host on the morning show Fox and Friends, which is how many people across the country recognize him. In addition to that, he is an author, a husband, and a father. He even gained fame online, although it has also led to some legal troubles.
Hegseth is a former military serviceman who achieved the rank of major in the Army during his time with the Minnesota National Guard. He was deployed to both the Iraq War and the Afghanistan War, receiving several awards for his service. Following his military career, he became the executive director of the political organizations Vets for Freedom and Concerned Vets for America, and he also took on the role of a political commentator on television.
He is now in charge of one of the key positions in the government, overseeing the U.S. military. However, his appointment is still awaiting Senate approval, and some individuals have promised to oppose it.
Here’s all the essential information about Hegseth’s life and background:
"After College, He Joined The Military"
In addition to earning a Bachelor's degree from Princeton University, Hegseth obtained a Master's degree in public policy from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
After graduating from college, he took a position at the troubled investment bank Bear Stearns, but later decided to enlist in the military. Serving with the Minnesota Army National Guard, he was stationed in Iraq as an infantry platoon leader and later served as a captain in Afghanistan. Over the course of his ten years in the military, he received two Bronze Stars, two Army Commendation Medals, and a Combat Infantryman’s Badge.
Hegseth has been more open about his experiences in the military. He even penned a letter to his sons encouraging them to consider joining the armed forces if they wish. This letter is included in his book, *The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free.*
"Despite the uncertainties and doubts, I invite you to become part of the American armed forces. I urge you to consider this straightforward question: If I don't step up, then who will? If not individuals like Gunner, Jackson, Boone, Luke, or Rex Hegseth, then who is going to safeguard our country?” he expressed in his letter. “Are you willing to depend on others, whether men or women, who hold different beliefs to take on this responsibility? Although our military may not be flawless, can we really afford to compromise its strength? I believe the answer is no.”
Fox Host And Author Shares Insights
Hegseth became part of Fox in 2014 when network head Roger Ailes brought him on as a contributor. In addition to co-hosting Fox & Friends, he also teamed up with political commentator Lisa Kennedy Montgomery to co-host the network's New Year's Eve special, All-American New Year. He has presented several shows on FOX Nation, including Battle in the Holy Land, which focuses on the conflict between Israel and Gaza.
While hosting his show, Hegseth has openly expressed his views on American policies, arguing that the country is allocating excessive funds to support Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. Additionally, he has been a vocal supporter of Israel. In a 2016 interview with The Jewish Press, he proposed that both the establishment of Israel as a nation and the American revolution against Britain exemplify "the narrative of God's chosen people."
He has authored multiple books for Fox's publishing division, such as The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free, which focuses on his experiences in the military. In Battle for the American Mind: Uprooting a Century of Miseducation, he expresses his honest views on the nation's education system. Additionally, he compiled a series of narratives from veterans in Modern Warriors: Real Stories from Real Heroes.
His Axe Throwing Incident Went Viral
In a segment of Fox and Friends back in 2015, Hegseth took part in an axe-throwing activity that didn't go as planned. Footage that circulated on social media showed him attempting to throw an axe at a large red target. Unfortunately, he missed and the axe soared over the target, striking Jeffrey Prosperie, a drummer from West Point's Hellcats field band, in the arm. This incident occurred while Prosperie was performing, as his band had been invited to the program to commemorate the anniversary of the U.S. Army's establishment.
While Prosperie initiated legal action against Hegseth following the event, the case was dropped in 2019. “The issue has been settled between the parties, and no additional comments will be made,” said Prosperie’s lawyer, Brandon Cotter, to the Associated Press.
Should Women Serve In Combat Roles?
The fellow veteran has kept expressing his views on the military and the roles of women within it. In a recent appearance on the Shawn Ryan Show, he stated that women should not hold "combat positions."
"It hasn't improved our effectiveness or increased our lethality; instead, it has complicated the nature of combat. We're not more deadly; the complexities of fighting have only increased," he added.
Nonetheless, Hegseth explained that his comments were specifically aimed at women in the military who perform "physically demanding" jobs, where "strength sets them apart."
He also mentioned, "Just to make it clear for everyone, we've all worked alongside women, and they truly are fantastic. However, it's important for our organizations not to push for this in areas where, throughout history, men have generally been seen as more capable in those roles."
He And Jennifer Rauchet Raise Seven Kids Together
Hegseth has been married to television producer Jennifer Rauchet since 2019. Their wedding took place at Trump National Golf Club in Colts Neck, New Jersey. The couple welcomed a daughter named Gwen in 2017. Rauchet also has three kids from her earlier marriage.
The Fox News personality had two previous marriages before this one. He ended his first marriage to Meredith Schwarz in 2009 and then divorced his second wife, Samantha Deering, in 2017. Hegseth and Deering had three children together before parting ways.
Last year, he shared with the Nashville Christian Family that they are united as a family through God's grace. In the Hegseth family, there are no divisions like ‘steps’ or ‘halves.’
Nevertheless, it’s been reported that Hegeth began his relationship with Rauchet, a producer for Fox’s morning program, while he was still married. In a conversation for journalist Brian Stelter’s 2020 book "Hoax," an executive acknowledged the affair and noted that Rauchet displayed partiality towards Hegseth, stating, "She continuously gave Pete airtime."
The duo apparently revealed their relationship to Fox, leading to Rauchet being reassigned to a different program on the network.
In addition to significant milestones in his professional life, Hegseth has talked about one of his favorite pastimes during his free time: enjoying football. In December 2023, he posted a picture on Facebook of himself watching a Minnesota Vikings game at a bar, giving a thumbs up. He was dressed in a purple jersey and a coordinating cap.
In the previous month, he and his wife took their seven kids to watch the University of Tennessee's football team, the Volunteers, compete at Neyland Stadium. He marked the occasion on Instagram, posting a picture of his children on the field and another one of himself and his wife enjoying the game from the stands.
“It’s hard to beat the excitement of last weekend’s win against Alabama. The crowd rushed the field, and we enjoyed some hiking in the Smoky Mountains. This place truly feels blessed. A big shoutout to my new friends (Jani, Joy, Brad, David, and others) for making it all happen,” he said in the post.
