History of Pete Hegseth in Timeline
Pete Hegseth is an American author, former television personality, and former Army National Guard officer. According to the input, he has 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. He is an American author, former television personality, and former Army National Guard officer.
1999: Graduates as Valedictorian
In 1999, Hegseth graduated from Forest Lake Area High School as valedictorian.
2001: Criticizes Halle Berry's Academy Award
In 2001, the editors of The Princeton Tory criticized Halle Berry for accepting the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in Monster's Ball "on behalf of an entire race".
April 2002: Defends Western Civilization
In April 2002, as publisher of The Princeton Tory, Hegseth declared he would "defend the pillars of Western civilization against the distractions of diversity".
2003: Commissioned as Infantry Officer
In 2003, Hegseth was commissioned as an infantry officer in the Minnesota Army National Guard after studying politics at Princeton University.
2003: Commissioned as Second Lieutenant
In 2003, after graduating from Princeton, Hegseth was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Army.
2004: Completes Basic Training
In 2004, Hegseth completed his basic training at Fort Benning in Columbus, Georgia.
2004: Hegseth Marries Meredith Schwarz
In 2004, Hegseth married Meredith Schwarz at the Cathedral of Saint Paul in Minnesota.
August 2006: Joins Manhattan Institute
By August 2006, Hegseth moved to Manhattan and began working at the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research.
August 2006: Hegseth Criticizes Operation Iron Triangle
In August 2006, Hegseth criticized Operation Iron Triangle as "atrocities" at the University of Virginia.
May 2007: Appears at McCain Fundraiser
In May 2007, Hegseth appeared at a presidential campaign fundraiser for John McCain.
October 2008: Hegseth Discusses Homosexuality in the Military
In October 2008, Hegseth disagreed with "Don't ask, don't tell" in a Yale Political Union speech, noting that "Radical Islam is a far greater threat."
December 2008: Meredith Schwarz Files for Divorce from Hegseth
In December 2008, Meredith Schwarz filed for divorce from Hegseth after he admitted to five affairs.
2008: Supports John McCain
In the months leading up to the 2008 United States presidential election, Vets for Freedom began supporting McCain.
January 2009: Internal Campaign to Oust Hegseth
By January 2009, Vets for Freedom had accrued hundreds of thousands of dollars in unpaid bills, leading to an internal campaign to oust Hegseth.
November 2009: Hegseth Supports Sending Additional Forces into Afghanistan
In November 2009, Hegseth supported sending additional forces into Afghanistan during the War in Afghanistan.
2009: Enrolls in Harvard Kennedy School
In 2009, Hegseth enrolled in the Harvard Kennedy School but only completed one semester.
2010: Hegseth Marries Samantha Deering
In 2010, Hegseth married Samantha Deering, with whom he has three children.
2011: Removed from Leadership
By 2011, after Vets for Freedom merged with Military Families United, Hegseth was removed from leadership.
2011: Commissioned as Captain
In 2011, Hegseth was commissioned into the Minnesota Army National Guard as a captain and volunteered to teach at the Counterinsurgency Training Center in Kabul, Afghanistan.
February 2012: Enters Republican Primary
In February 2012, Hegseth decided to enter the Republican primary for the United States Senate election in Minnesota.
March 2012: Hegseth Advocates for Medicare Changes in Interview
In March 2012, Hegseth advocated for premium support in Medicare and removing fee-for-service in an interview with the National Review.
2013: Graduates from Harvard
In 2013, Hegseth graduated from Harvard with a degree in public policy.
June 2014: Becomes Regular Contributor to Fox News
By June 2014, Hegseth was given a position as a regular contributor to Fox News.
2014: Promoted to Major
After completing his tour in Afghanistan in 2014, Hegseth was promoted to major and enlisted in the Individual Ready Reserve.
2014: Criticizes Obama
In 2014, Concerned Veterans of America, a group Hegseth worked for, criticized Obama for the Veterans Health Administration controversy.
2014: Becomes Fox News Contributor
In 2014, Hegseth became a contributor to Fox News, expanding his career into television.
2015: Axe-Throwing Incident
In 2015, Hegseth threw an axe during a Flag Day event in New York City, accidentally hitting a drummer from the United States Military Academy, leading to a lawsuit.
January 2016: Leaves Concerned Veterans for America
In January 2016, Hegseth left Concerned Veterans for America after allegations of financial mismanagement and alcoholism.
2016: Described Christian faith as more out of diligent habit than deep conviction
In 2016, Hegseth described his Christian faith as initially "more out of diligent habit than deep conviction".
2016: Hegseth Supports Rubio, Cruz, and Trump in Primaries
In 2016, Hegseth initially supported Marco Rubio in the Republican Party presidential primaries, but later favored Ted Cruz and then Donald Trump. He was highly critical of Hillary Clinton's email controversy.
2016: Published 'In the Arena: Good Citizens, a Great Republic, and How One Speech Can Reinvigorate America'
In 2016, Hegseth published his memoir, "In the Arena: Good Citizens, a Great Republic, and How One Speech Can Reinvigorate America".
2016: Advisor to President Trump
In 2016, Hegseth served as an advisor to President Donald Trump after supporting his campaign.
2016: Brief Host on TheBlaze
In 2016, Hegseth was briefly a host on TheBlaze before regularly hosting Fox & Friends Weekend.
January 2017: Official Co-host of Fox & Friends Weekend
In January 2017, Hegseth became an official co-host of Fox & Friends Weekend.
October 2017: Hegseth Allegedly Sexually Assaults Woman
In October 2017, Hegseth allegedly sexually assaulted a woman at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa on Del Monte Golf Course in Monterey, California. The Monterey Police Department investigated the incidents, but he was not criminally charged.
2017: Co-hosts Fox & Friends Weekend
From 2017 to 2024, Hegseth co-hosted Fox & Friends Weekend, solidifying his role as a television personality.
2017: Betsy DeVos Confirmation
In 2017, Betsy DeVos confirmation was decided by the vice president.
2017: Hegseth and Samantha Deering File for Divorce
In 2017, Hegseth and Samantha Deering filed for divorce.
2017: Wrote the foreword to The Case Against the Establishment
In 2017, Hegseth wrote the foreword to "The Case Against the Establishment", a book written by Nick Adams and Dave Erickson.
2017: Hegseth Confirmed by Senate
On January 24, 2017, Hegseth was confirmed by the Senate in a 51–50 vote, with Vice President Mike Pence casting the tie-breaking vote. His confirmation faced opposition due to sexual assault allegations.
January 2018: Monterey County district attorney declined to file charges
In January 2018, Monterey County district attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni declined to file charges against Hegseth, stating that there was not proof beyond a reasonable doubt regarding the accusations made against him.
March 2018: Positions Himself as Candidate
In March 2018, after Shulkin fell out of favor with the Trump administration, Hegseth positioned himself as a potential candidate for secretary of veterans affairs, but Trump selected Robert Wilkie.
April 2018: Hegseth's mother accused him of mistreating women
In April 2018, an email from Pete Hegseth's mother, Penny, was sent, accusing him of mistreating women for years.
October 2018: Migrant Caravan Comments
In October 2018, Trump claimed that "unknown Middle Easterners" had infiltrated the migrant caravan, apparently citing a comment Hegseth had made on Fox & Friends.
2018: Experienced a religious transformation
In 2018, Hegseth experienced a religious transformation after he and his wife, Jennifer, began attending the Colts Neck Community Church in New Jersey.
2018: Hosts All-American New Year
In 2018, Hegseth hosted All-American New Year with Lisa Kennedy.
March 2019: Hegseth Supports Netanyahu Amidst Criminal Charges
In March 2019, after Benjamin Netanyahu was expected to be criminally charged, Hegseth described him as a "great friend to the United States".
June 2019: Joins DC 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 Hegseth had made correlating video games with mass shootings after two mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton.
2019: Hosts 'Battle in Bethlehem'
From 2019 to 2023, Hegseth hosted the series Battle in the Holy Land and in 2019 the special Battle in Bethlehem on Fox Nation.
2019: Hegseth Describes Climate Change as Attempt at Government Control
In 2019, Hegseth described climate change as an attempt at government control on Fox & Friends.
2019: Hegseth Marries Jennifer Rauchet
In 2019, Hegseth married Jennifer Rauchet at Trump National Golf Club Colts Neck in New Jersey.
2019: Father's Retirement
In 2019, Hegseth's father, Brian Hegseth, retired from his job as a high school basketball coach across Minnesota.
2019: Lawsuit Resolved
In 2019, the lawsuit filed by Jeff Prosperie against Hegseth was resolved in an unspecified way following the 2015 axe-throwing incident.
January 2020: Hegseth Supports Trump's Threat to Destroy Iranian Cultural Sites
In January 2020, Hegseth supported Donald Trump's threat to destroy Iranian cultural sites.
May 2020: Released 'American Crusade: Our Fight to Stay Free'
In May 2020, Hegseth released "American Crusade: Our Fight to Stay Free".
May 2020: Hegseth Claims Communist Chinese Want to End Our Civilization
In May 2020, Hegseth said the "communist Chinese" want to "end our civilization".
2020: Mentioned in Hoax Book
According to a Fox News executive in Hoax (2020), Jennifer Rauchet was favoring Pete with airtime.
2020: Hegseth Defends Trump's Policies
In 2020, Hegseth defended President Donald Trump's policies, including interactions with Kim Jong Un.
2020: Publishes 'American Crusade'
In 2020, Hegseth wrote and published 'American Crusade'.
2020: Hegseth Pays Accuser as Part of Non-Disclosure Agreement
In 2020, The Washington Post reported that Hegseth paid the accuser as part of a non-disclosure agreement.
2020: Hegseth Characterizes Americanism and Criticizes Movements in American Crusade
In 2020, in his book American Crusade, Hegseth characterized "Americanism" as opposition to movements such as feminism, globalism, Marxism, and progressivism. He expressed support for election-rigging through gerrymandering and described progressives and Democrats as enemies of freedom.
March 2021: Barred From Duty
In March 2021, Hegseth was barred from serving on duty at the inauguration of Joe Biden after being flagged as an "insider threat" due to a tattoo.
2021: Hegseth Defends Trump's Policies
In 2021, Hegseth defended President Donald Trump's policies, including the US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan.
2022: Hosts 'The Miseducation of America'
From 2022 to 2023, Hegseth hosted The Miseducation of America on Fox Nation, criticizing "the Left's educational agenda".
2022: Co-authored 'Battle for the American Mind: Uprooting a Century of Miseducation'
In 2022, Hegseth co-authored "Battle for the American Mind: Uprooting a Century of Miseducation" with David Goodwin.
2022: Returns Harvard Degree
In 2022, Hegseth protested classes in critical race theory at Harvard University by reportedly writing "Return to sender" on his degree and sending it back to the university.
2023: Hosts Programs on Fox Nation
From 2022 to 2023, Hegseth hosted The Life of Jesus and The Miseducation of America.
January 2024: Leaves Individual Ready Reserve
In January 2024, Hegseth left the Individual Ready Reserve, stating in his book The War on Warriors (2024) that he resigned over the incident.
June 2024: Published 'The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free'
In June 2024, Hegseth published "The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free".
November 12, 2024: Named Nominee for Secretary of Defense
On November 12, 2024, President-elect Donald Trump named Hegseth as his nominee for secretary of defense. Hegseth subsequently ended his contract with Fox News.
November 2024: Hegseth States Women Should Not Serve in Combat Roles
In November 2024, Hegseth stated that women should not serve in combat roles during a podcast interview with Shawn Ryan.
November 2024: Nominated for Secretary of Defense
In November 2024, President-elect Trump nominated Hegseth as his nominee for secretary of defense. Hegseth's confirmation was decided by Vice President JD Vance, and faced allegations of sexual misconduct, financial mismanagement, and excessive drinking.
November 2024: The New York Times obtained an email from Hegseth's mother
In November 2024, The New York Times obtained an email from Hegseth's mother, Penny, from April 2018, accusing her son of having mistreated women for years.
November 2024: Vanity Fair Reports on Alleged Sexual Assault by Hegseth
In November 2024, Vanity Fair reported that Hegseth had allegedly sexually assaulted a woman at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa in October 2017.
2024: Concerns over Jerusalem cross tattoo caused him to be pulled from a mission
In 2024, Hegseth stated that concerns over his Jerusalem cross tattoo caused the District of Columbia National Guard to pull him from a mission to guard the inauguration of President Joe Biden, which then spurred him to retire from the military.
2024: Publishes 'The War on Warriors'
In 2024, Hegseth wrote and published 'The War on Warriors', adding to his authorship career.
2024: Hegseth Denies Allegations Before Senate Committee
In 2024, Pete Hegseth appeared before the Senate Committee on Armed Services, presenting himself as a "warrior" and denying allegations of sexual misconduct, financial mismanagement, and alcohol issues. He was criticized for his previous claims about women in combat roles and for using the term "jagoff" in his book The War on Warriors (2024).
January 2025: NBC News reported an affidavit alleging Hegseth made his wife concerned for her safety
In January 2025, NBC News reported that Samantha's sister Danielle had sent an affidavit to senators alleging that Hegseth had made his wife concerned for her safety.
January 2025: Associated Press Reports Hegseth Paid Accuser $50,000
In January 2025, The Associated Press reported that Hegseth had paid the accuser US$50,000.
February 2025: Hegseth Orders Funding Cuts and Purge in Department of Defense
In February 2025, Hegseth ordered officials within the Department of Defense to reduce funding on most initiatives. He also began a purge, firing top judge advocate generals and the chief of naval operations.
March 2025: Hegseth Cancels Climate Change Studies
In March 2025, Hegseth canceled climate change studies, decrying the phenomenon as "crap" on social media. He sought to eliminate climate planning from the Department of Defense, but included an exception for extreme weather preparation.
March 2025: Hegseth Shares Information in Signal Group Chat
In March 2025, Jeffrey Goldberg reported that he was accidentally included in a Signal group chat where Hegseth shared information about attacks in Yemen hours before they occurred. This incident raised concerns about potential espionage.
April 2025: Hegseth Issues Directive for Army Overhaul
In April 2025, Hegseth issued a directive to the Secretary of the Army, ordering a sweeping overhaul to prioritize homeland defense and deter China in the Indo-Pacific. The directive included budget consolidation, force structure changes, and the reduction of the civilian workforce.
August 2025: Shared a video from CNN featuring Douglas Wilson
In August 2025, Hegseth favorably shared a video from CNN featuring Douglas Wilson, with Hegseth commenting on a video that included a pastor from Wilson's church calling for the repeal of women's right to vote, another pastor stating that husbands should cast votes for their entire household, and Wilson stating that women should not hold leadership positions in the military.
September 2025: Hegseth Announces Focus on Offense and Lethality in US Military
In September 2025, Hegseth said that the US military would start focusing more on offense, lethality, and violent effect. He also announced an assembly of top military brass at Quantico, Virginia.
2025: Appointed as Secretary of Defense
In 2025, Peter Hegseth began serving as the 29th United States secretary of defense.
2025: Hegseth's Wife Attends Meetings with Foreign Officials
In 2025, The Wall Street Journal reported that Hegseth brought his wife to meetings with foreign defense officials where sensitive information was discussed. Also, Hegseth's brother, Phil, was listed as a senior adviser to Hegseth, accompanying him to meetings.
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