Pete Hegseth

Pete Hegseth is a conservative commentator, author, and former military officer widely known for his work as a Fox News contributor. Born in 1980 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Hegseth graduated from Princeton University with a degree in Political Science. Following his education, he served as an infantry officer in the Army National Guard, deployed overseas to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Guantanamo Bay. His military service gave him firsthand experience in some of the world’s most volatile regions, shaping his views on national security and military strategy.

After leaving active duty, Hegseth became an outspoken advocate for veterans’ rights and military reform. He served as the CEO of Concerned Veterans for America, a group focused on promoting policies to support American veterans and reform the Veterans Affairs system. In 2012, Hegseth ran for the U.S. Senate in Minnesota but was unsuccessful. He transitioned to a career in media, becoming a prominent conservative voice. As a Fox News contributor, Hegseth’s coverage spanned national security, military affairs, and political issues.

Hegseth’s first book, In the Arena, was published in 2016, focusing on his perspectives on leadership, veterans’ issues, and national security. His 2024 book, The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free (2024), critiques the state of the military and stresses the importance of restoring a strong, unified defense force. Throughout his career, Hegseth has been a fierce proponent of American military strength and has called for reforms to strengthen the military’s readiness for future challenges.

On the international front, Hegseth has consistently expressed strong support for Israel and its geopolitical significance. In a 2016 interview with The Jewish Press, he described Israel as “the story of God’s chosen people” and emphasized the unbreakable bond between Israel and the United States. He reflected on his journey of understanding Jewish heritage, noting that he had never met a Jewish person until college. Hegseth’s deep respect for the historical and biblical roots of the Jewish state, coupled with his evangelical Christian background, has informed his unwavering advocacy for Israel. He has spoken out on numerous occasions against those who seek to undermine the Jewish state’s right to exist, framing support for Israel as both a moral and strategic necessity for the U.S. Hegseth has also visited Israel multiple times. On one such visit, he was guided by settler leaders to Joseph’s Tomb in Nablus, a West Bank site off limits to the U.S. government. On another occasion, he visited the Muslim Quarter of Jerusalem’s Old City and toured a home renovated by Jews, describing the experience as powerful and impactful.

In a 2018 speech at the Arutz Sheva conference in Jerusalem, Hegseth expressed support for re-establishing a Jewish temple on the Temple Mount, viewing it as a miraculous possibility. However, he was uncertain about how it might occur. Hegseth also endorsed the annexation of Israeli settlements, framing it as an assertion of Israeli sovereignty over Judea and Samaria, and emphasized the importance of recognizing “facts on the ground” to solidify this claim. Additionally, he dismissed the viability of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, asserting instead that only one state, Israel, should exist.

As a Fox News host, Hegseth provided favorable coverage of Israel on the network and said that his time in the U.S. Army turned him into a supporter of the Jewish state. He interviewed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in March 2024 and said, “Israel needs our support.” He also ran a three-part series on Fox Nation, “Battle in the Holy Land: Israel at War,” that focused on the war in Gaza and the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. “There’s no doubt this is a fight that Israel needs to finish,” Hegseth said, echoing Trump’s call for Israel to finish the job and eliminate Hamas.

Hegseth’s foreign policy views also include a hawkish stance on Iran. As a member of the United Against Nuclear Iran Veterans Advisory Council, he has called for aggressive measures against Iran’s nuclear ambitions and its destabilizing actions in the Middle East. His outspoken condemnation of Iran, coupled with his endorsement of former President Trump’s policies in the region, solidifies his position as a critical advocate for a hardline approach to Iran.

Pete Hegseth faces intense scrutiny over past controversies, including 2017 sexual assault allegations that led to a confidential settlement, which his lawyer claims was a case of extortion. He has also been criticized for his controversial tattoos and outspoken views, particularly his opposition to “woke” military policies and advocacy for an “American Crusade” in his writings. In 2021, Hegseth was removed from Biden’s inauguration security detail due to his Jerusalem Cross tattoo, which some critics associate with far-right iconography. Other tattoos, such as “Deus Vult” and patriotic phrases like “We the People,” reflect his Christian and nationalist beliefs. While supporters, including VP-elect J.D. Vance, defend him against accusations of extremism, critics argue his rhetoric raises concerns about potential ties to Islamophobia and radicalization.

On November 12, 2024, President-elect Donald Trump nominated Pete Hegseth as the next Secretary of Defense. Trump has praised Hegseth’s military service and commitment to an “America First” vision.

Sources:“Pete Hegeseth,” Ballotpedia.
@realdonaldtrump, (November 12, 2024). 
“Trump taps Fox News host who said US must ‘stand by strong ally’ Israel to head Pentagon,” Times of Israel, (November 13, 2024).
Jacob Kornbluh, “Your complete guide to Trump’s Jewish advisers and pro-Israel cabinet,” Forward, (November 13, 2024). 
Jacob Magid, “Trump’s nominee for Pentagon chief suggested new temple could be built on Temple Mount,” Times of Israel, (November 14, 2024).
Robert Mendick, “Mapping Pete Hegseth’s tattoos: the Christian ink that got him kicked off Biden’s National Guard team,” Telegraph, (November 15, 2024). 
Erick Tucker, “Trump’s Pentagon pick paid woman after sex assault allegation but denies wrongdoing, his lawyer says,” AP, (November 17, 2024). 

Photo: Gage Skidmore, CC-by-SA-3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.