Pete Hegseth: podcast appearances and interviews

Peter Brian Hegseth, born June 6, 1980, is an American government official and the 29th United States secretary of defense since 2025. He has a background in politics, having studied at Princeton University where he was the publisher of the conservative student newspaper The Princeton Tory. Hegseth served as an infantry officer in the Minnesota Army National Guard, with deployments at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base and in Iraq and Afghanistan. After leaving active duty, he worked for organizations such as Vets For Freedom and Concerned Veterans for America, serving as an executive director. He became a contributor to Fox News in 2014 and supported President Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign before serving as an advisor. From 2017 to 2024, Hegseth co-hosted Fox & Friends Weekend and authored multiple books including American Crusade and The War on Warriors. In November 2024, President-elect Trump nominated him for the role of secretary of defense. His confirmation by the Senate faced controversy, including allegations of misconduct, but he was ultimately confirmed after a tie-breaking vote by Vice President JD Vance. Hegseth is noted as the second-youngest secretary of defense in U.S. history. During his tenure, he has been a contentious figure, facing criticism over issues such as leaked government communications, alleged war crimes, promoting Christianity within the military, and decisions related to military operations and rules of engagement in the 2026 Iran war.