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| − | '''Peter Brian Hegseth''' (b. June 6, 1980) is the 2025 [[United States Secretary of War]]. | + | '''Peter Brian Hegseth''' (b. June 6, 1980) is the 2025 [[United States Secretary of War]]. He has no significant education, training, or experience in military strategy, and appears unaware of what constitutes a [[War crimes|war crime]]. Many speculate that his admission to [[Princeton University]] was as a recruit to play basketball, as its team is prominent at the university and would have had influence over admissions. The fact that Hegseth played in dozens of its basketball games, including as a freshman, strongly implies that he was a sports team recruit for admissions purposes. |
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| | + | On March 13, 2026, Hegseth responded dismissively to valid questions about [[Iran]]'s control of the [[Strait of Hormuz]]: "It's something we're dealing with, we have been dealing with it, and [you] don't need to worry about it," Hegseth said. He insisted that the [[U.S.]] would not allow this essential shipping channel to "remain contested."<ref>https://abcnews.com/Politics/hegseth-worry-strait-hormuz-us-time-counter-irans/story?id=131036790</ref> |
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| | + | Hegseth was a former [[Fox News]] host and served as [[CEO]]/executive director of Concerned Veterans for America (CVA), an organization funded by the [[Koch]] [[oligarch]]s that advocated for [[privatizing]] VA health care, limiting eligibility (e.g., to service-connected disabilities only), and reducing overall government-provided benefits to redirect funds toward “[[war]]-fighting capability.” |
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| | Hegseth's books: “Battle for the American Mind” (June, 2022) – spent over twelve weeks on the New York Times best-sellers list, including four straight weeks at #1. Two of Pete’s previous books – “American Crusade” and “Modern Warriors” – were also best-sellers.<ref>[https://petehegseth.com Petehegseth.com]</ref> | | Hegseth's books: “Battle for the American Mind” (June, 2022) – spent over twelve weeks on the New York Times best-sellers list, including four straight weeks at #1. Two of Pete’s previous books – “American Crusade” and “Modern Warriors” – were also best-sellers.<ref>[https://petehegseth.com Petehegseth.com]</ref> |
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| | In 2016, Trump considered Hegseth for [[VA]] Secretary.<ref>Morgan Chalfant, [https://freebeacon.com/issues/trump-considering-brown-hegseth-va-secretary/ Trump Considering Brown, Hegseth for VA Secretary]. ''Free Beacon'', November 30, 2016</ref> Hagseth said regarding the [[Pentagon]], "First of all, you’ve got to fire the chairman of the [[Joint Chiefs]]...Any general, any admiral, whatever, who was involved in [[diversity, equity and inclusion]] programs or [[woke]] sh*t has got to go."<ref>[https://archive.is/QceFX#selection-509.0-649.17 Pete Hegseth has said exactly how he will shake up the Pentagon], By Missy Ryan, Dan Lamothe, John Hudson and Alex Horton, ''[[Washington Post]]'', November 12, 2024. </ref> | | In 2016, Trump considered Hegseth for [[VA]] Secretary.<ref>Morgan Chalfant, [https://freebeacon.com/issues/trump-considering-brown-hegseth-va-secretary/ Trump Considering Brown, Hegseth for VA Secretary]. ''Free Beacon'', November 30, 2016</ref> Hagseth said regarding the [[Pentagon]], "First of all, you’ve got to fire the chairman of the [[Joint Chiefs]]...Any general, any admiral, whatever, who was involved in [[diversity, equity and inclusion]] programs or [[woke]] sh*t has got to go."<ref>[https://archive.is/QceFX#selection-509.0-649.17 Pete Hegseth has said exactly how he will shake up the Pentagon], By Missy Ryan, Dan Lamothe, John Hudson and Alex Horton, ''[[Washington Post]]'', November 12, 2024. </ref> |
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| − | Hegseth was a television host, on [[Fox News]].
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| | ==Secretary of Defense== | | ==Secretary of Defense== |
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| | Together, we can establish a [[division of labor]] that maximizes our comparative advantages in Europe and Pacific respectively.<ref>[https://www.defense.gov/News/Speeches/Speech/Article/4064113/opening-remarks-by-secretary-of-defense-pete-hegseth-at-ukraine-defense-contact/ Opening Remarks by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth at Ukraine Defense Contact Group (As Delivered)], Feb. 12, 2025, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. Brussels, Belgium. defense.gov</ref>}} | | Together, we can establish a [[division of labor]] that maximizes our comparative advantages in Europe and Pacific respectively.<ref>[https://www.defense.gov/News/Speeches/Speech/Article/4064113/opening-remarks-by-secretary-of-defense-pete-hegseth-at-ukraine-defense-contact/ Opening Remarks by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth at Ukraine Defense Contact Group (As Delivered)], Feb. 12, 2025, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. Brussels, Belgium. defense.gov</ref>}} |
| | In late September 2025 as international tensions [[escalated]], Hegseth summoned all active duty generals and admirals to an urgent meeting in [[Quantico]], [[Virginia]] for an undisclosed meeting. Speculation abounded the purpose of the meeting. Many of the high-ranking officers were contact with each other to find out why Hegseth has ordered such an unprecedented gathering that will upend the schedules of hundreds of them.<ref>https://www.twz.com/land/war-secretarys-emergency-meeting-a-mystery-to-hundreds-of-top-officers-ordered-to-attend</ref> A consensus emerged that the order for all top military officers to meet in one place was for critical [[domestic]] reasons, as they would not be put in one place to plan [[war]] on a [[foreign]] country where they could wiped out with a single [[missile]] strike. | | In late September 2025 as international tensions [[escalated]], Hegseth summoned all active duty generals and admirals to an urgent meeting in [[Quantico]], [[Virginia]] for an undisclosed meeting. Speculation abounded the purpose of the meeting. Many of the high-ranking officers were contact with each other to find out why Hegseth has ordered such an unprecedented gathering that will upend the schedules of hundreds of them.<ref>https://www.twz.com/land/war-secretarys-emergency-meeting-a-mystery-to-hundreds-of-top-officers-ordered-to-attend</ref> A consensus emerged that the order for all top military officers to meet in one place was for critical [[domestic]] reasons, as they would not be put in one place to plan [[war]] on a [[foreign]] country where they could wiped out with a single [[missile]] strike. |
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| | + | ===Iran war=== |
| | + | {{See also|Iran war}} |
| | + | Hegseth hid from the [[American]] public the number of [[U.S.]] casualties from [[Iranian]] retaliatory strikes after [[U.S.]] strikes on [[Iranian]] [[civilian]] [[infrastructure]].<ref>https://archive.is/rytER#selection-8059.0-8059.62</ref> |
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| | ==Views== | | ==Views== |
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| − | Hegseth rightfully criticized [[Turkey]]'s membership of NATO, saying Turkish [[Islamism|Islamist]] president [[Recep Tayyip Erdoğan]] "openly dreams of restoring the Ottoman empire" and is "an Islamist with Islamist visions for the [[Middle East]].<ref name="dm">(Nov 25, 2024). [https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14123927/pete-hegseth-critical-nato-alliances-trump-pentagon.html Trump Pentagon pick Pete Hegseth believes NATO should be 'scrapped' and remade]. ''Daily Mail''.</ref> | + | Hegseth rightfully criticized [[Turkey]]'s membership of [[NATO]], saying Turkish [[Islamism|Islamist]] president [[Recep Tayyip Erdoğan]] "openly dreams of restoring the [[Ottoman empire]]" and is "an [[Islamist]] with Islamist visions for the [[Middle East]].<ref name="dm">(Nov 25, 2024). [https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14123927/pete-hegseth-critical-nato-alliances-trump-pentagon.html Trump Pentagon pick Pete Hegseth believes NATO should be 'scrapped' and remade]. ''Daily Mail''.</ref> |
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| | Hegseth believes, [[NATO]] should be 'scrapped' and remade.<ref name="dm"/> | | Hegseth believes, [[NATO]] should be 'scrapped' and remade.<ref name="dm"/> |
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| | From a written testimony, submitted to [[Congress]] ahead of (Jan/2025) confirmation vote:<ref>[https://www.axios.com/2025/01/29/hegseth-china-russia-nukes-policy What Hegseth thinks of Russia and China as he takes the Pentagon reins], ''Axios'', Jan 29, 2025</ref> | | From a written testimony, submitted to [[Congress]] ahead of (Jan/2025) confirmation vote:<ref>[https://www.axios.com/2025/01/29/hegseth-china-russia-nukes-policy What Hegseth thinks of Russia and China as he takes the Pentagon reins], ''Axios'', Jan 29, 2025</ref> |
| | <blockquote> | | <blockquote> |
| − | *[[China]]: The potential seizure of Taiwan, a "fait accompli," should motivate U.S. military modernization. Guam is a linchpin for Indo-Pacific success. Collaborating with Japan will pay deterrence dividends. | + | *[[China]]: The potential seizure of [[Taiwan]], a "fait accompli," should motivate U.S. military modernization. [[Guam]] is a linchpin for [[Indo-Pacific]] success. Collaborating with [[Japan]] will pay deterrence dividends. |
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| − | *[[Russia]]: Despite sanctions and other constraints, its war machine still packs a punch. Moscow's digital subterfuge and Arctic ambitions "are particularly acute." The invasion of Ukraine is "settling into a war of attrition." | + | *[[Russia]]: Despite sanctions and other constraints, its war machine still packs a punch. [[Moscow]]'s digital subterfuge and [[Arctic]] ambitions "are particularly acute." The invasion of [[Ukraine]] is "settling into a [[war of attrition]]." |
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| − | *[[Iran]]: The regime, which props up violent proxies, creeps closer to nuclear weapons. Its missile and drone arsenal demands countermeasures. The U.S. should help Israel defend itself. | + | *[[Iran]]: The regime, which props up [[violent]] [[proxies]], creeps closer to [[nuclear weapon]]s. Its [[missile]] and [[drone]] arsenal demands countermeasures. The [[U.S.]] should help [[Israel]] defend itself. |
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| − | *[[North Korea]]: An "intense focus" on missile development, hacking gains and nuclear arms is concerning. Its "space capabilities" must be monitored. Missile defense needs beefing up closer to home. | + | *[[North Korea]]: An "intense focus" on [[missile]] development, hacking gains and [[nuclear arms]] is concerning. Its "space capabilities" must be monitored. [[Missile defense]] needs beefing up closer to home. |
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| − | *[[Nuclear weapon|Nukes]]: A triad is a necessity. Full stop. And full steam ahead on the Sentinel nuclear missile, B-21 Raider and the Columbia-class submarine. Partnering with the National Nuclear Security Administration is of highest priority. NNSA labs, plants and sites want for dramatic renovations. | + | *[[Nuclear weapon|Nukes]]: A triad is a necessity. Full stop. And full steam ahead on the Sentinel nuclear missile, B-21 Raider and the Columbia-class [[submarine]]. Partnering with the National Nuclear Security Administration is of highest priority. NNSA labs, plants and sites want for dramatic renovations. |
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| − | *Doing business: The Pentagon is thinking too narrowly; it should look beyond Cold War suppliers. Places like the Office of Strategic Capital and Defense Innovation Unit are oases. Delayed, over-budget projects require a "thorough review." | + | *Doing business: The [[Pentagon]] is thinking too narrowly; it should look beyond [[Cold War]] suppliers. Places like the Office of Strategic Capital and Defense Innovation Unit are oases. Delayed, over-budget projects require a "thorough review." |
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| − | *Army upgrades: Wars abroad underline the value of cyber, autonomy and precision fires. </blockquote> | + | *Army upgrades: [[War]]s abroad underline the value of cyber, autonomy and precision fires. </blockquote> |
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| | [[File:Netanyahu with Pete Hegseth.2.5.25.jpg|thumb|[[Netanyahu]] with Pete Hegseth.2.5.25]] | | [[File:Netanyahu with Pete Hegseth.2.5.25.jpg|thumb|[[Netanyahu]] with Pete Hegseth.2.5.25]] |
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| − | At the Reagan National Defense Forum in December 2025 Hegseth outline [[Trump 2.0]] administration [[foreign policy]]:<ref>https://thehill.com/policy/defense/5637405-hegseth-speech-border-security-china/</ref> {{Cquote|The [[War Department]] will not be distracted by [[democracy]] building, [[interventionism]], undefined [[war]]s, [[regime change]], [[climate change]], [[woke]] [[moral]]izing and feckless [[nation-building]]...We will instead put our [[nation]]'s [[pragmatic|practical]], concrete interests first...Out with [[idealistic]] [[utopia]]nism...In with hard-nosed [[realism]].}} | + | At the Reagan National Defense Forum in December 2025 Hegseth outline [[Trump 2.0]] administration [[foreign policy]]:<ref>https://thehill.com/policy/defense/5637405-hegseth-speech-border-security-china/</ref><ref>[https://youtu.be/LAQbqbhVsdc Secretary of War Pete Hegseth keynote address at the Reagan National Defense Forum.] [[Department of War]]. Dec 6, 2025.</ref> |
| | + | {{Cquote|The [[War Department]] will not be distracted by [[democracy]] building, [[interventionism]], undefined [[war]]s, [[regime change]], [[climate change]], [[woke]] [[moral]]izing and feckless [[nation-building]]...We will instead put our [[nation]]'s [[pragmatic|practical]], concrete interests first...Out with [[idealistic]] [[utopia]]nism...In with hard-nosed [[realism]].}} |
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| | == Personal background == | | == Personal background == |
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| − | Hegseth served in the US Army and did tours in [[Guantanamo Bay]], [[Iraq]] and [[Afghanistan]].<ref>[https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-nominates-pete-hegseth-serve-defense-secretary Trump nominates Pete Hegseth to serve as defense secretary]. By Louis Casiano, ''Fox News'', November 12, 2024</ref> He is [[Princeton]] and [[Harvard]] educated. He has been married three times: during his second marriage he reportedly engaged in an affair by which he had a child with his future third wife. | + | Hegseth served in the US Army and did tours in [[Guantanamo Bay]], [[Iraq]] and [[Afghanistan]].<ref>[https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-nominates-pete-hegseth-serve-defense-secretary Trump nominates Pete Hegseth to serve as defense secretary]. By Louis Casiano, ''Fox News'', November 12, 2024</ref> He is [[Princeton]] and [[Harvard]] educated. He has been married three times: during his first marriage he engaged in an affair with a woman who would become his second wife; and in his second marriage he engaged in an affair with a woman who would become his third wife (she became pregnant with his child during the affair). |
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| | ==External links== | | ==External links== |
| | *[https://petehegseth.com/ Petehegseth.com - official page] | | *[https://petehegseth.com/ Petehegseth.com - official page] |
| | *[https://x.com/PeteHegseth Hegseth on X, formerly Twitter] | | *[https://x.com/PeteHegseth Hegseth on X, formerly Twitter] |
| | + | *[https://youtu.be/HFKEmV7rI0U Hitler phones Hegseth] |
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| | ==References== | | ==References== |
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| | [[Category:Veterans]] | | [[Category:Veterans]] |
| | [[Category:Evangelicals]] | | [[Category:Evangelicals]] |
| | + | [[Category:Christian Zionists]] |
| | [[Category:Second Trump Cabinet]] | | [[Category:Second Trump Cabinet]] |