History of Pete Hegseth in Timeline
Peter Brian Hegseth is an American former Army National Guard officer, television presenter, and author. He is described as having served as the 29th United States secretary of defense since 2025.
June 6, 1980: Peter Brian Hegseth Born
On June 6, 1980, Peter Brian Hegseth was born.
1999: High School Graduation
In 1999, Hegseth graduated as valedictorian from Forest Lake Area High School and was later inducted into the hall of fame.
2001: Halle Berry's Award Criticized
In 2001, The Princeton Tory criticized Halle Berry for accepting the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in Monster's Ball.
April 2002: Defends Western Civilization Pillars
In April 2002, as publisher of The Princeton Tory, Hegseth declared he would defend the pillars of Western civilization against the distractions of diversity.
June 2003: Commissioned as Second Lieutenant
In June 2003, after graduating from Princeton, Hegseth was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Army.
2003: Commissioned as Infantry Officer
In 2003, Hegseth was commissioned as an infantry officer in the Minnesota Army National Guard.
2004: Basic Training at Fort Benning
In 2004, Hegseth completed his basic training at Fort Benning, which was later renamed to Fort Moore, in Columbus, Georgia.
August 2006: Moved to Manhattan
In August 2006, Hegseth moved to Manhattan and began working at the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research.
May 2007: Appearance at McCain Fundraiser
In May 2007, Hegseth appeared at a presidential campaign fundraiser for Arizona senator John McCain.
2008: Supported John McCain
In the months leading up to the 2008 United States presidential election, Vets for Freedom, led by Hegseth, began supporting John McCain.
January 2009: Unpaid Bills at Vets for Freedom
By January 2009, Vets for Freedom had accrued hundreds of thousands of dollars in unpaid bills, leading to an internal campaign to oust Hegseth.
2009: Enrolled in Harvard Kennedy School
In 2009, Hegseth enrolled in the Harvard Kennedy School, but only completed one semester.
2011: Removed from Leadership
By 2011, after Vets for Freedom merged with Military Families United, Hegseth was removed from leadership.
2011: Enlisted in Minnesota Army National Guard
In 2011, Hegseth enlisted in the Minnesota Army National Guard as a captain.
February 2012: Planned Senate Run
In February 2012, Hegseth decided to enter the Republican primary for the United States Senate election in Minnesota.
June 2014: Became a Fox News Contributor
By June 2014, Hegseth had become a regular contributor to Fox News.
2014: Promoted to Major
After completing his tour in 2014, Hegseth was promoted to major and enlisted in the Individual Ready Reserve.
2014: Criticized Obama for Veterans Health Administration Controversy
In 2014, Concerned Veterans of America, where Hegseth worked, criticized Obama for the 2014 Veterans Health Administration controversy.
2014: Becomes Fox News Contributor
In 2014, Hegseth started working as a contributor for Fox News.
June 2015: Axe-Throwing Incident
In June 2015, Hegseth accidentally hit a drummer from the United States Military Academy with an axe during a Flag Day event in New York City.
January 2016: Leaves Concerned Veterans for America
In January 2016, Hegseth left Concerned Veterans for America due to issues regarding mismanagement and alcoholism.
2016: Advisor to Donald Trump
In 2016, Hegseth served as an advisor to President Donald Trump after supporting his campaign.
2016: Host on TheBlaze
In 2016, Hegseth was briefly a host on TheBlaze before regularly hosting Fox & Friends Weekend.
2016: Publication of 'In In the Arena'
In 2016, Pete Hegseth described his Christian faith as initially "more out of diligent habit than deep conviction" in his book 'In In the Arena'. Following the September 11 attacks, he developed a hatred for Islamic terrorism and criticized the Princeton University Chapel.
January 2017: Official Co-host of Fox & Friends Weekend
In January 2017, after being a regular host since 2016, Hegseth became an official co-host of Fox & Friends Weekend.
2017: Co-host of Fox & Friends Weekend
From 2017 to 2024, Hegseth co-hosted Fox & Friends Weekend.
2017: Betsy DeVos Confirmation
In 2017, Betsy DeVos's confirmation as secretary of education was decided by a vice president.
March 2018: Positions himself for VA Secretary Role
After Shulkin fell out of favor with the Trump administration in March 2018, Hegseth positioned himself as a potential candidate for Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
April 2018: Email Accusations from Mother
In April 2018, Pete Hegseth's mother, Penny, sent an email accusing him of mistreating women for years. This email was later obtained by The New York Times.
October 2018: Migrant Caravan Claims
In October 2018, Trump claimed that "unknown Middle Easterners" had infiltrated the migrant caravan, citing a comment Hegseth had made on Fox & Friends.
2018: Hosted All-American New Year
In 2018, Hegseth hosted All-American New Year with commentator Lisa Kennedy.
2018: Religious Transformation
In 2018, Pete Hegseth experienced a religious transformation after he and his wife, Jennifer, began attending the Colts Neck Community Church in New Jersey.
June 2019: Joins D.C. Army National Guard
In June 2019, Hegseth joined the District of Columbia Army National Guard as a traditional drilling service member.
August 2019: Video Games and Mass Shootings
In August 2019, Trump repeated claims that Hegseth had made correlating video games with mass shootings after two mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton.
2019: Host of Battle in the Holy Land
From 2019 to 2023, Hegseth hosted the series Battle in the Holy Land on Fox Nation.
2019: Father's Retirement
In 2019, Brian Hegseth, Peter's father, retired from his role as a basketball coach for high schools across Minnesota.
2019: Prosperie Lawsuit Resolved
In 2019, the lawsuit filed by Jeff Prosperie against Hegseth was resolved in an unspecified way.
2020: Publication of "American Crusade"
In 2020, Hegseth authored the book "American Crusade".
2020: Hoax release
In 2020, a Fox News executive in Hoax mentioned that Jennifer Rauchet favored Pete with airtime on Fox & Friends Weekend.
March 2021: Ends Duty with D.C. Army National Guard
In March 2021, Hegseth ended his duty with the District of Columbia Army National Guard.
2022: Host of The Miseducation of America
From 2022 to 2023, Hegseth hosted The Miseducation of America on Fox Nation, criticizing the "Left's educational agenda".
2022: Protested Critical Race Theory at Harvard
In 2022, Hegseth protested the offering of classes in critical race theory at Harvard University by sending his degree back to the university.
2023: End of The Miseducation of America and Battle in the Holy Land series
In 2023, the television program The Miseducation of America and Battle in the Holy Land series that Hegseth hosted ended.
January 2024: Resignation from Individual Ready Reserve
In January 2024, Hegseth resigned from the Individual Ready Reserve, citing the "insider threat" incident in his book "The War on Warriors (2024)".
June 2024: Publication of 'The War on Warriors'
In June 2024, Pete Hegseth published his book, "The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free".
November 12, 2024: Nomination for Secretary of Defense
On November 12, 2024, Donald Trump nominated Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense after Tom Cotton declined. This decision, seen as prioritizing loyalty over experience, followed Hegseth ending his Fox News contract. Allegations of sexual assault surfaced, but Trump defended him.
November 2024: Views on Women in Combat Roles
In November 2024, Pete Hegseth stated in a podcast interview with Shawn Ryan that women should not serve in combat roles.
November 2024: Nominated for Secretary of Defense
In November 2024, President-elect Trump nominated Hegseth as his pick for Secretary of Defense.
November 2024: New York Times Reports on Email
In November 2024, The New York Times reported on an April 2018 email from Pete Hegseth's mother accusing him of mistreating women. She defended her son on Fox News, stating he was "redeemed, forgiven, changed."
November 2024: Sexual Assault Allegations Reported
In November 2024, Vanity Fair reported allegations of a sexual assault by Pete Hegseth in October 2017. The Monterey Police investigated two incidents. Although Hegseth was not charged, a non-disclosure agreement and payment to the accuser were reported. Hegseth's lawyer claimed extortion.
2024: Publication of "The War on Warriors"
In 2024, Hegseth wrote and published the book "The War on Warriors".
January 2025: Affidavit Allegations
In January 2025, NBC News reported that Samantha's sister Danielle sent an affidavit to senators alleging that Pete Hegseth had made his wife concerned for her safety. Hegseth's lawyer dismissed the allegations.
March 2025: Discussed Yemen Attacks
In March 2025, Hegseth discussed plans for the United States attacks in Yemen on Signal, during the United States government group chat leak.
2025: Appointed Secretary of Defense
In 2025, Hegseth assumed the role of the 29th United States Secretary of Defense.
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