Pete Hegseth
Peter Brian Hegseth | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 6, 1980 Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Writer, television host, military officer, politician |
| Years active | 2003–present |
| Known for | 29th United States secretary of defense; Fox & Friends Weekend co-host; military service in Iraq and Afghanistan |
Peter Brian Hegseth (born June 6, 1980) is an American writer, former television host, and ex-officer in the Army National Guard, currently serving as the 29th United States secretary of defense since 2025.
Hegseth pursued political studies at Princeton University, where he was involved with the conservative student publication The Princeton Tory. Commissioned in 2003 as an infantry officer within the Minnesota Army National Guard, his military service included assignments at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base and deployments to both Iraq and Afghanistan. Following his time in Iraq, he assumed leadership positions with organizations such as Vets for Freedom and Concerned Veterans for America. In 2014, Hegseth became a contributor for Fox News and later provided counsel to President Donald Trump after endorsing his 2016 presidential bid. Between 2017 and 2024, he co-hosted Fox & Friends Weekend. His published works include American Crusade (2020) and The War on Warriors (2024).
In November 2024, President-elect Trump put forward Hegseth’s nomination for secretary of defense. During a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing shortly before Trump's second inauguration, Hegseth was confronted with accusations related to sexual misconduct, financial mismanagement, and alcohol use. The Senate approved his appointment that same month, with Vice President JD Vance casting the deciding vote—a rare occurrence marking only the second time a Cabinet nominee’s confirmation was decided by a vice presidential tiebreaker, following Betsy DeVos in 2017. Hegseth is recognized as the second-youngest individual to hold the defense secretary position after Donald Rumsfeld and is the first from Minnesota to do so.
Early life and education
Peter Brian Hegseth entered the world on June 6, 1980, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Of Norwegian heritage, he is the eldest child of Brian and Penelope "Penny" (Haugen) Hegseth. His father worked as a high school basketball coach in Minnesota until retiring in 2019, while his mother serves as an executive business coach and participates in the Minnesota Excellence in Public Service (MEPS) Series—a leadership initiative aimed at Republican and center-right women. Raised in Forest Lake, Minnesota, Hegseth completed his high school education at Forest Lake Area High School in 1999 as valedictorian. He distinguished himself athletically by setting school records for three-point shooting in basketball and earning all-state honors in both football and basketball.
In 1999, Hegseth matriculated at Princeton University, focusing on political science. He opted for Princeton over an offer from the United States Military Academy, choosing to play for the Princeton Tigers men's basketball team instead. Shortly before the events of September 11, he joined the Reserve Officers' Training Corps. During his time at Princeton, he balanced athletics with editorial duties, initially serving as publisher and subsequently editor-in-chief of The Princeton Tory, a conservative campus newspaper.
In April 2002, while acting as publisher of The Princeton Tory, Hegseth declared a commitment to "defend the pillars of Western civilization against the distractions of diversity". The publication notably criticized Halle Berry's Academy Award win for "Monster's Ball" (2001), suggesting it represented recognition on behalf of an entire race. It also opposed The New York Times’ choice to publish gay marriage announcements, arguing this could open the door to announcements for incestuous or other contentious relationships. An October editorial from The Princeton Tory described homosexuality as immoral, eliciting strong criticism from Princeton’s student government president. In May 2025, The Daily Princetonian accused Hegseth of plagiarism concerning his senior thesis.
Military service (2003–2006, 2010–2014, 2019–2021)
Following his graduation from Princeton in June 2003, Hegseth received a commission as a second lieutenant in the United States Army through the university's Reserve Officers' Training Corps program. He briefly held a position as an equity-markets analyst at Bear Stearns. In 2004, he completed basic training at Fort Benning and subsequently spent eleven months deployed with the Minnesota Army National Guard at Guantanamo Bay detention camp, where he led a platoon from the New Jersey Army National Guard responsible for detainee security. By July 2005, he returned briefly to Bear Stearns before volunteering for combat duty as an infantry officer during the Iraq War, earning a Bronze Star Medal for his service. Assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division, Hegseth started his deployment in Baghdad and later served as a civil affairs officer in Samarra, working alongside local officials such as councilmember Asaad Ali Yaseen. He recounted surviving a close call when a rocket-propelled grenade struck his vehicle but failed to explode.
In 2011, Hegseth was commissioned as a captain in the Minnesota Army National Guard. He volunteered to instruct at the Counterinsurgency Training Center in Kabul, Afghanistan, during the U.S. military’s withdrawal phase, delivering one of the final training sessions. After completing this tour in 2014, he was promoted to the rank of major and transitioned into the Individual Ready Reserve. In June 2019, he joined the District of Columbia Army National Guard as a traditional drilling soldier until March 2021. He was prohibited from participating in duty at the inauguration of Joe Biden after being designated an "insider threat," allegedly due to a Deus vult tattoo on his biceps. Hegseth departed from the Individual Ready Reserve in January 2024, referencing this episode in his book The War on Warriors (2024).
Political activism (2006–2016)
By August 2006, Hegseth relocated to Manhattan and began employment with the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research, where he connected with a marine involved with Vets for Freedom, a political advocacy organization. Initially serving as an unpaid director in 2006, he advanced to full-time executive director by 2007 and became president in 2008. In May 2007, Hegseth appeared at a fundraiser supporting Senator John McCain. Prior to the 2008 United States presidential election, Vets for Freedom endorsed McCain’s candidacy. As chairman, Hegseth criticized Senator Barack Obama for promoting what he described as "a dangerous policy of irreversible withdrawal." By January 2009, financial difficulties surfaced within Vets for Freedom due to substantial unpaid debts, prompting efforts to remove Hegseth from leadership. The organization eventually merged with Military Families United, and by 2011 he had been replaced.
Returning to Minnesota in February 2012, Hegseth entered the Republican primary for the 2012 United States Senate election in Minnesota. He appointed Anne Neu Brindley as campaign manager and had raised funds by April. However, he lost the nomination to Kurt Bills at the May convention and withdrew shortly thereafter. He established MN PAC to support similar candidates; however, approximately one-third of its contributions were directed toward associates. That same year, Hegseth joined Concerned Veterans of America—an organization funded by the Koch brothers—that criticized President Obama amid the 2014 Veterans Health Administration controversy. Although enrolling at Harvard Kennedy School in 2009, he completed only one semester initially; four years later, he graduated with a degree in public policy. In 2022, protesting critical race theory courses at Harvard, he reportedly returned his diploma marked with "Return to sender."
Hegseth resigned from Concerned Veterans in January 2016 amid allegations involving mismanagement and struggles with alcoholism. Later that year in December, President-elect Donald Trump considered him for the position of United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs, but opposition from veterans groups arose due to Hegseth’s advocacy for allowing all veterans access to private healthcare providers; commentator Paul Rieckhoff described this potential appointment as "a radical departure." Ultimately, Trump selected David Shulkin, with The Washington Post noting Hegseth’s lack of experience managing large organizations. Hegseth later stated that Trump deemed him too young for the role. After Shulkin’s departure in March 2018, Hegseth again expressed interest in the position; however, Trump chose Robert Wilkie following consultations with both Hegseth and financier Isaac Perlmutter.
Fox News (2014–2024)
By mid-2014, Hegseth had established himself as a frequent contributor to Fox News during Roger Ailes' leadership. After a short period at TheBlaze in 2016, he began regularly hosting Fox & Friends Weekend, officially becoming a co-host in January 2017. Jennifer Rauchet, a producer who later became his spouse, reportedly played a role in securing him significant airtime. Additionally, Hegseth temporarily took over hosting duties on The Ingraham Angle amid a boycott and co-hosted the 2018 New Year's special All-American New Year alongside commentator Lisa Kennedy.
Hegseth’s commentary on Fox & Friends notably influenced President Trump’s policies during his initial term. In October 2018, Trump referenced Hegseth’s unsubstantiated assertion regarding "unknown Middle Easterners" traveling within a migrant caravan, which was based on Guatemalan president Jimmy Morales’ remarks about detained ISIS operatives. During federal shutdown negotiations, Hegseth advocated for Trump to demand $5 billion to fund the border wall. Following multiple mass shootings in 2019, Trump echoed Hegseth’s claims connecting violent video games to real-world aggression. Hegseth also stated that he participated in discussions concerning pardons for war criminals Clint Lorance and Mathew L. Golsteyn, as well as efforts to reverse Navy SEAL Eddie Gallagher’s demotion.
While at Fox News, Hegseth encountered legal challenges. In June 2015, he accidentally caused injury to a United States Military Academy drummer during an axe-throwing event; the resulting lawsuit was confidentially resolved in 2019. Moreover, in the 2023 litigation Dominion Voting Systems v. Fox News Network, a Fox & Friends Weekend segment featuring Hegseth was referenced for failing to repudiate Rudy Giuliani's election fraud allegations involving Dominion voting machines.
Hegseth also appeared on Fox News’s streaming platform, Fox Nation. He co-hosted the launch special Fox Nation First Look with Jesse Watters, Tomi Lahren, Britt McHenry, and Tyrus. On Fox Nation, he helmed The Miseducation of America (2022–2023), critiquing what he described as "the Left's educational agenda," alongside series such as Battle in the Holy Land (2019–2023), The Life of Jesus (2022–2023), and the special Battle in Bethlehem (2019).
Nomination and confirmation
On November 12, 2024, President-elect Donald Trump announced his nomination of Hegseth for the role of secretary of defense, following Senator Tom Cotton’s decision to decline the position. Subsequently, Hegseth terminated his contract with Fox News. This appointment surprised many within the Department due to Hegseth’s limited background in defense matters and was widely seen as Trump selecting a loyalist. The transition team soon uncovered an allegation of sexual assault dating back seven years against Hegseth, prompting internal reassessment. Despite this, Trump defended him vigorously, and several key Republican senators voiced support despite concerns reported by The New Yorker and NBC News regarding his financial management and alcohol consumption.
Amidst the controversy surrounding his nomination, Hegseth actively campaigned to secure confirmation. Advisors close to Trump encouraged party members to endorse him to maintain Republican unity, noting that alternatives such as Ron DeSantis lacked sufficient momentum. Vice President-elect JD Vance spearheaded efforts involving prominent Trump supporters to consolidate backing for Hegseth. After visiting Capitol Hill and impressing Senator Joni Ernst, Trump reiterated his endorsement.
Hegseth appeared before the United States Senate Committee on Armed Services on January 14, presenting himself as a "warrior" while denying prior accusations and contentious remarks about women serving in combat roles. Democrats criticized him over allegations of misconduct and questions about his managerial abilities. The committee advanced his nomination with a 14–13 vote along party lines on January 20. Additional allegations from his former sister-in-law concerning abuse and alcohol misuse emerged; Hegseth denied these claims and pledged to maintain sobriety if confirmed.
On January 24, the Senate confirmed Hegseth by a narrow 51–50 margin, with Vice President Vance casting the decisive tie-breaking vote. Most Republicans supported him except Senators Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, and Mitch McConnell, while Democrats opposed the nomination. Senator Thom Tillis, who had initially threatened opposition due to the allegations against Hegseth, was persuaded by Vance shortly before the vote. This confirmation represented only the second instance in U.S. history where a Cabinet appointment was decided by a vice presidential tie-breaker.
Hegseth was sworn into office on January 25 by Vice President Vance. His agenda includes restoring the warrior ethos within the military, rebuilding trust among service members, revitalizing the defense industrial base, streamlining weapons acquisition processes, bolstering domestic defense capabilities, engaging strategically in the Indo-Pacific region to counter China’s influence, and supporting Trump's objective to "end wars responsibly," including ongoing involvement in the Russo-Ukrainian War and conflicts across the Middle East.
Initial measures
Shortly after Benjamin Netanyahu was sworn in as Israeli prime minister, Hegseth contacted him to reaffirm the United States' unwavering dedication to Israel's security. He revoked the security clearance and protective detail of Mark Milley, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Army chief of staff, while launching an inspector general investigation into Milley's period in office. Simultaneously, Defense Department Inspector General Robert Storch was removed amid a wider wave of inspector general dismissals. The Department of Defense Education Activity began withdrawing certain books addressing immigration and sexuality.
In February, Hegseth toured the Mexico–United States border alongside Trump's border czar, Tom Homan, declaring the federal government’s objective to assume full operational control over the southern border. He restored Fort Bragg’s original name, replacing Fort Liberty, in honor of World War II soldier Roland L. Bragg rather than Confederate general Braxton Bragg. During a session preceding the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting at NATO headquarters, Hegseth opposed Ukraine joining NATO and characterized the restoration of Ukraine’s pre-Crimea boundaries as "unrealistic." However, he later moderated his position, recognizing that NATO accession remained a possibility under Trump’s discretion. Controversially, the Department of Defense invited alt-right figure Jack Posobiec to accompany Hegseth.
By February 2025, Hegseth initiated reductions across most Defense Department programs and conducted an internal purge, dismissing three senior judge advocate generals along with Chief of Naval Operations Lisa Franchetti. He stressed the importance of legal advisors who provide sound constitutional guidance rather than creating bureaucratic impediments. In March, he directed US Cyber Command to suspend offensive cyber operations against Russia to promote peace talks in the Russo-Ukrainian conflict. The Defense Department also terminated 91 research projects—including studies on climate change impacts—while Hegseth dismissed climate change as irrelevant to defense considerations. Separately, under Trump administration orders, he was tasked with presenting credible military strategies to ensure US access to the Panama Canal.
In April 2025, Hegseth issued a directive refocusing Army priorities toward homeland defense and deterring China in the Indo-Pacific region. This directive consolidated funding streams for unmanned systems, counter-drone capabilities, electronic warfare, force structure realignments, and expanded authority for other transaction agreements. It required downsizing or closure of overlapping headquarters by merging Army Futures Command with Training and Doctrine Command and uniting Army Forces Command with Army North and South into a single command dedicated to homeland defense. Furthermore, it mandated cutting at least 20% of four-star general billets to enhance efficiency and operational performance. Hegseth also signed a memorandum aimed at reducing the civilian workforce within the Defense Department by eliminating redundant positions through voluntary early retirement and deferred resignation programs designed to reward top performers while streamlining bureaucratic processes.
Information sharing and Signal usage
In March 2025, Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, disclosed that he had been inadvertently added by Mike Waltz to a Signal group chat where Pete Hegseth shared information about impending attacks in Yemen just hours prior to their execution. This conversation included US officials such as Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The episode sparked concerns regarding possible espionage amid ongoing Chinese attempts to access telecommunications data. The National Security Council verified both the report and the messages' legitimacy. Hegseth denied distributing operational plans and labeled Goldberg as "dishonest." Intelligence authorities confirmed that no classified material was exchanged, and Signal was an approved platform for the discussion.
Hegseth expressed distress over the leak and threatened polygraph testing for acting Joint Chiefs chairman Christopher W. Grady. Goldberg released most of the chat content, revealing Hegseth had posted specifics about launch schedules for F-18 jets, MQ-9 drones, and Tomahawk missiles. Hegseth maintained that no sensitive information was disclosed. The incident attracted criticism from both political parties. In the wake of the leak, Der Spiegel exposed Hegseth’s personal contact information through compromised passwords.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Hegseth brought his wife to two meetings with foreign defense officials involving classified discussions—one in Brussels with NATO representatives and another at the Pentagon alongside British Defense Secretary John Healey. The Associated Press reported that Hegseth’s brother Phil served as a liaison between the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Defense and accompanied Hegseth on official engagements. A memorandum authored by Hegseth outlining deterrence approaches for Taiwan and Europe contained passages identical to those found in Project 2025.
In April, an investigation was initiated by the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General into Hegseth’s disclosures. The New York Times revealed he shared attack details within a second Signal group chat that included his wife, brother, and attorney. At the White House Easter Egg Roll event, Hegseth alleged he was subject to a coordinated smear effort. Former DoD spokesperson John Ullyot characterized the department as experiencing a "complete meltdown," cautioning that Hegseth’s position was at risk.
NPR reported that the White House began searching for a successor to Hegseth the following day. Nevertheless, he retained backing from Trump, who valued his media influence and worried that removing him might prompt scrutiny over Mike Waltz’s role; publicly, Trump attributed the controversy to "disgruntled employees" while commending Hegseth’s contributions. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt asserted that "the entire Pentagon is working against" him. Representative Don Bacon became the first House Republican to call for his removal.
The Washington Post highlighted that Hegseth installed Signal on his computer to circumvent cellular network issues and facilitate communication with other Trump associates; CNN reported that former aide Ricky Buria configured Signal on this device. The computer operated on an unsecured internet connection outside Department of Defense IP ranges.
By April 24, at least five political appointees had resigned from the Department of Defense amid what was described as a "free-for-all" crisis. Hegseth’s chief of staff Joe Kesper stepped down but continued serving as a special government employee. Senate Democrats criticized Hegseth concerning alleged civilian casualties resulting from Yemen strikes. That month saw appointments of new senior advisers Sean Parnell, Justin Fulcher, Patrick Weaver, and Ricky Buria.
Domestic affairs
Hegseth espouses firmly conservative principles and is identified as a Christian nationalist. In his 2020 publication American Crusade, he characterized "Americanism" as resistance against ideologies such as feminism, globalism, Marxism, and progressivism. He associated democracy with left-wing agendas and endorsed the use of gerrymandering to manipulate electoral districts in favor of Republicans over Democrats. He portrayed progressives and Democrats as endangering liberty, the nation, and the Constitution. Hegseth calls for the elimination of globalism, socialism, secularism, environmentalism, Islamism, gender ideology, and leftist politics. He has propagated unfounded allegations of fraud in the 2020 election and circulated conspiracy theories regarding Antifa's role in the January 6 Capitol riot.
Initially a supporter of Florida senator Marco Rubio during the 2016 Republican Party presidential primaries, Hegseth subsequently backed Texas senator Ted Cruz before ultimately endorsing Donald Trump. He defended Trump's policies during his first term, including diplomatic efforts with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan between 2020 and 2021, and the targeted killing of Qasem Soleimani. On Fox News in 2016, he criticized Hillary Clinton over her email scandal, asserting that "recklessness in handling information" usually leads to job termination or legal consequences, thereby endangering national security.
In a 2012 interview with National Review, Hegseth supported reforms such as Medicare premium support and ending fee-for-service models. He opposed mandates on contraception and prioritized employment opportunities over environmental concerns related to the Keystone Pipeline. On Fox & Friends in 2019, he characterized climate change initiatives as forms of governmental control. In March 2025, he terminated climate change research programs, dismissing the issue as "crap," and aimed to remove climate-related planning responsibilities from the United States Department of Defense, except for preparations addressing extreme weather events.
International relations
In November 2009, Hegseth endorsed deploying additional troops to Afghanistan amid the ongoing conflict. Later, he advocated for troop withdrawal but maintained that special operations forces should remain while supporting the development of the Afghan Army to prevent resurgence of hostilities.
Hegseth has expressed criticism toward both NATO and the United Nations. Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, he labeled Vladimir Putin a war criminal; however, in a discussion with Fox News host Harris Faulkner, he suggested that issues like "wokeness" and crime were more pressing than the invasion itself. He has also voiced opposition to U.S. military assistance provided to Ukraine. In January 2020, he supported Donald Trump's threat to target Iranian cultural landmarks.
He has shown support for the leadership of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. When Netanyahu faced anticipated criminal allegations in March 2019 related to bribery and fraud accusations, Hegseth referred to him as a "great friend to the United States". Additionally, he has warned about the Chinese government's efforts to develop military capabilities aimed at surpassing the United States and echoed Trump's assertion that "tens of thousands of Chinese nationals" have been sent to infiltrate the Mexico–United States border. In May 2020, Hegseth claimed that "communist Chinese" seek to "end our civilization".
Military affairs
During an October 2008 address at the Yale Political Union, Hegseth expressed opposition to the "Don't ask, don't tell" policy but stressed that he viewed "Radical Islam" as a significantly more serious danger. In a November 2024 podcast episode featuring Shawn Ryan, he asserted that women should be excluded from combat positions.
Hegseth strongly criticized Operation Iron Triangle, a raid conducted in August 2006 resulting in three Iraqi fatalities, labeling it an "atrocity" during a speech at the University of Virginia. Additionally, he has challenged allegations of war crimes leveled against U.S. military personnel.
Marriages
Hegseth wed Meredith Schwarz, an alumna of Forest Lake Area High School, in 2004 at Minnesota’s Cathedral of Saint Paul; their classmates had predicted they were "most likely to marry." Following Hegseth’s admission to five extramarital affairs—including one with Samantha Deering, whom he met through Vets for Freedom—Meredith filed for divorce in 2008. Hegseth and Deering married in 2010, had three children together, and initiated divorce proceedings in 2017. In 2019, he married Jennifer Rauchet, a producer for Fox & Friends, with the ceremony held at Trump National Golf Club Colts Neck in New Jersey and attended by members of the Trump family.
Abuse and sexual assault allegations
In November 2024, Vanity Fair reported allegations that Hegseth sexually assaulted a woman at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel during the October 2017 California Federation of Republican Women convention. Although Monterey Police investigated two separate incidents, no charges were filed. The Washington Post disclosed that Hegseth compensated the accuser under a non-disclosure agreement after she threatened legal action in 2020. A memorandum submitted to Donald Trump’s presidential transition team included claims of rape by Hegseth. His attorney acknowledged these reports but maintained that Hegseth was targeted by blackmail amid the #MeToo movement. The Associated Press reported a settlement payment amounting to $50,000.
Police documents from Monterey revealed that the accuser confronted Hegseth regarding inappropriate behavior; she alleged he obstructed her phone and door before committing rape and believed she had been drugged. Surveillance footage depicted them walking together while smiling. Two additional women informed authorities that Hegseth touched their thighs and invited them to his hotel room; one requested the accuser’s assistance. The accuser underwent a forensic rape examination which led to police inquiry. Hegseth admitted to consensual sexual activity. In January 2018, the district attorney declined to pursue charges due to lack of sufficient evidence.
In November 2024, The New York Times published an email from Hegseth’s mother accusing him of mistreating women; she later issued an apology and defended him on Fox News, describing him as "redeemed." In January 2025, NBC News reported on an affidavit from Samantha Deering’s sister alleging that Hegseth created safety risks prompting Samantha to hide and plan an escape; these allegations were dismissed by his legal counsel.
Religion
In his 2016 book In the Arena, Hegseth characterized his Christian faith as initially practiced "more out of diligent habit than deep conviction." Following the September 11 attacks, he developed a pronounced opposition to Islamic terrorism and criticized his university for prioritizing peace initiatives over condemning terrorism. His religious beliefs deepened in 2018 after joining Colts Neck Community Church in New Jersey alongside his wife Jennifer. Seeking a Christian education for their children, they relocated to Nashville, Tennessee three years later and became members of Pilgrim Hill Reformed Fellowship, affiliated with the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches.
Tattoos
Hegseth bears multiple tattoos, among them a script on his right biceps that reads Deus vult, a Christian expression associated with divine guidance, and a Jerusalem cross positioned on his right chest. These symbols have been linked to far-right extremist factions. Adjacent to the Deus vult tattoo is the word kafir—meaning "unbeliever" in Arabic—which sparked criticism from certain Muslim communities who accused him of Islamophobia. Other tattoos include the political emblem Join, or Die, a cross combined with a sword featuring Hebrew characters spelling Yeshua, the phrase We the People inked on his right forearm, and the insignia of the 187th Infantry Regiment emblazoned on his back, accompanied by its motto Ne Desit Virtus ("Let Valor Not Fail"). In 2024, scrutiny over his Jerusalem cross tattoo prompted the District of Columbia National Guard to remove him from a security detail protecting President Joe Biden’s inauguration and played a role in his eventual military retirement. According to fact-checking organization Snopes, several of Hegseth’s Christian-themed tattoos incorporate symbols currently connected with—though not definitively representative of—Christian nationalist ideologies.
Awards and decorations
Hegseth’s military honors comprise:
| Combat Infantryman Badge | |||||||||||
| Bronze Star Medal with bronze oak leaf cluster |
Joint Service Commendation Medal | Army Commendation Medal with bronze oak leaf cluster | |||||||||
| National Defense Service Medal | Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two bronze service stars |
Iraq Campaign Medal with two bronze service stars | |||||||||
| Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal | Global War on Terrorism Service Medal | Armed Forces Reserve Medal | |||||||||
Additionally, Hegseth attained the Expert Infantryman Badge, though regulations prohibit wearing it concurrently with the Combat Infantryman Badge.
Written works
Hegseth authored his memoir titled In the Arena in 2016. He followed this with the publication of American Crusade: Our Fight to Stay Free in May 2020. Later that year, in October, Fox News Media finalized a three-book agreement with HarperCollins, beginning with Hegseth’s Modern Warriors: Real Stories from Real Heroes, which was released in November. In 2022, he collaborated with David Goodwin, president of the Association of Classical Christian Schools, to write Battle for the American Mind: Uprooting a Century of Miseducation. Most recently, in June 2024, Hegseth published The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free. The titles American Crusade, Modern Warriors, Battle for the American Mind, and The War on Warriors have each been featured on The New York Times Best Seller list. Additionally, he contributed the foreword to The Case against the Establishment (2017), authored by Nick Adams and Dave Erickson.