Pete Hegseth (AP file photo)
US President Donald Trump‘s nominee for secretary of defence, Pete Hegseth, was confirmed by the Senate late Friday night, despite facing misconduct allegations that nearly jeopardised his confirmation. He will now serve as the Pentagon’s chief.
Vice president JD Vance cast the tie-breaking vote in Hegseth’s favour after three Republican senators, including former Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell, voted against him.
This is only the second time in US history that a vice president has cast a tie-breaking vote to confirm a Cabinet nominee.
Who is Pete Hegseth?
- Pete Hegseth is a well-known American television personality, author, and conservative political commentator, widely recognized for his role as a host on
Fox News .
- Born on June 6, 1980, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Hegseth was raised in a conservative household that played a major role in shaping his political views and national values.
- According to news agency Reuters, President Trump praised Hegseth as “tough, smart, and a true believer in America First,” highlighting his potential to make the US military “Great Again.”
- Hegseth attended Princeton University, where he studied political science and further strengthened his ideological beliefs.
- After completing his education, Hegseth joined the US Army national guard, serving as a military officer. He was deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan in the early 2000s, gaining first-hand experience in military operations and leadership. His military service significantly influenced his views on
national security and veterans’ issues, which he later integrated into his media career.
- After his military service, Hegseth transitioned into a media and
political commentary career. He became a frequent contributor to Fox News, where his conservative viewpoints gained a strong following.
- In a series of podcasts, Hegseth seemed to endorse the theocratic and authoritarian doctrine of “sphere sovereignty,” a worldview rooted in the extremist beliefs of
Christian reconstructionism and promoted by churches associated with far-right Idaho pastor Douglas Wilson, as The Guardian reported.
- He joined Fox & Friends Weekend as a co-host, solidifying his reputation as one of the leading conservative voices on television. His commentary frequently covers topics like patriotism, military service, and national security, often drawing from his own Army experiences.
- In addition to his role at Fox News, Hegseth authored the book In the Arena: Good Citizens, a Great Republic, and How One Speech Can Change the World, published in 2016. The book reflects his belief in the significance of public service and civic responsibility, aligning with his broader political views.
- His views on topics such as political correctness, gun rights, and American values have been polarising, drawing both strong support from admirers and sharp criticism from detractors.
- Hegseth has been married twice and is currently married to Jennifer Rauchet, a Fox News producer, with whom he shares children. His personal life, including his family and beliefs, often intersects with his public persona, with moments frequently shared on social media.
- Pete Hegseth, the Pentagon’s new chief, reportedly abused alcohol to the extent of passing out at family gatherings and once had to be removed from a strip club while in uniform, according to an account from a former relative provided to US lawmakers and reviewed by The Wall Street Journal.
- Hegseth’s confirmation was highly contentious, marred by allegations of sexual assault, alcohol abuse, and mismanagement of veterans’ charities, all of which he has denied. Despite these claims and his limited military leadership experience, President Trump and his administration firmly supported him, presenting him as a transformative leader for the department of defence.
