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.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

June 6, 1980: Peter Brian Hegseth Born

On June 6, 1980, Peter Brian Hegseth was born.

Others born on this day/year

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.

July 2005: Returned to Bear Stearns

In July 2005, Hegseth had returned to Bear Stearns; shortly thereafter, he volunteered in the Iraq War.

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.

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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.

In the Arena: Good Citizens, a Great Republic, and How One Speech Can Reinvigorate America

Check it on Amazon

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.

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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".

American Crusade: Our Fight to Stay Free

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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.

2023: Dominion Voting Systems v. Fox News Network

In the 2023 Dominion Voting Systems v. Fox News Network case, a segment of Fox & Friends Weekend featuring Hegseth was included, where claims of election fraud were not rejected.

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)".

The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free

Check it on Amazon

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".

The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free

Check it on Amazon

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".

The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free

Check it on Amazon

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.