Published: March 25, 2025
Early Life and Education
Peter Brian Hegseth was born on June 6, 1980, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He pursued higher education at Princeton University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Politics. Furthering his academic credentials, Hegseth obtained a Master in Public Policy from Harvard University.
Military Service
In 2003, Hegseth was commissioned as an infantry officer in the Minnesota Army National Guard. His military career includes deployments to Guantanamo Bay, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Throughout his service, he received commendations such as the Bronze Star Medal and the Combat Infantryman Badge.
Media Career
Transitioning from active military duty, Hegseth became a prominent media figure. He contributed to Fox News starting in 2014 and co-hosted “Fox & Friends Weekend” from 2017 to 2024. During this period, he authored several books, including “In the Arena” (2016) and “The War on Warriors” (2024), with multiple titles reaching The New York Times Best Seller list.
Political Involvement and Appointment as Secretary of Defense
Hegseth played a significant role in Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign and later served as an advisor during Trump’s first term. In November 2024, President-elect Trump nominated Hegseth for the position of Secretary of Defense. Despite facing allegations of sexual misconduct and financial mismanagement—claims he has denied—Hegseth was confirmed by the Senate on January 25, 2025, with Vice President JD Vance casting the tie-breaking vote.
Recent Developments
In March 2025, Hegseth faced scrutiny over a reported security breach involving a group chat on the Signal app. The chat, which included high-level officials, allegedly discussed potential airstrikes against Houthi terrorists and mistakenly included journalist Jeffrey Goldberg. Hegseth has denied that any war plans were discussed, stating, “Nobody was texting war plans.”
