Pete Hegseth

Lawmakers are urging the Department of Defense to eliminate restrictions on autism therapy coverage for military families using TRICARE insurance. In a June 26, 2026 letter to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Senators Eric Schmitt and Kirsten Gillibrand demanded changes to TRICARE's coverage policies.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is set to visit Israel for the first time since becoming Pentagon chief, expected to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz. The visit aims to address Israeli concerns about potential US F-35 stealth fighter jet sales to Turkey.

President Trump, after returning to office, removed top military officials including Charles 'C.Q.' Brown Jr. and Admiral Lisa Franchetti, with defense secretary Pete Hegseth stating the changes aimed to align the military with a 'color-blind, gender-neutral, merit-based' approach. The article highlights concerns about the administration's rejection of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and its impact on Black service members and racial progress in the military.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was the Trump administration’s frontman for waging war on Iran during kinetic operations aimed at decimating its nuclear threat. Since President Trump signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Iran to end the war without securing significant concessions on its missile or nuclear stockpiles, Hegseth has said little about the issue.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was the Trump administration’s lead for military actions against Iran’s nuclear threat. After President Trump signed an MOU with Iran to end the conflict without major concessions on its nuclear or missile programs, Hegseth has remained silent.

Stars and Stripes, a military newspaper under the Department of Defense, faces restrictions on editorial independence under the Trump administration. Pentagon officials have imposed content bans and expressed intent to eliminate 'woke distractions,' raising concerns about the paper becoming a propaganda tool.

The US Department of Defense has established the Direct Reporting Portfolio Manager for Unmanned Systems (DRPM-UxS) to consolidate oversight of most military drone programs. The office aims to accelerate drone technology development and procurement, excluding exceptions like the Air Force's CCA program. It will manage systems including drones, boats, ground robots, and counter-drone technologies.

The Pentagon's weapons testing office, DOT&E, faced workforce cuts reducing civilian staff from 126 to 30, leading to increased workloads and concerns about untested weapons reaching troops. A Congressional watchdog report highlights risks of malfunctions and gaps in oversight, particularly in areas like electronic warfare.

Trump’s National Guard deployment in Washington is expanding ahead of a holiday. A ceremony with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was held in Washington on Thursday.

Marco Rubio's alleged secret plot against Pete Hegseth has been exposed, leading to Hegseth's humiliation over a troop scheme. The article highlights the conflict between the two figures without additional context.

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth reportedly proposed more aggressive troop reductions in Europe beyond cancellations in Poland and Romania. The plan was blocked by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, leading the Pentagon to initiate a six-month review of its European force posture.

Rep. Susie Lee, a Nevada Democrat, emphasized bipartisan efforts during a speech but later expressed a desire to 'beat the s--- out of' Pete Hegseth. The remarks occurred as she discussed rare earth minerals and her advocacy for MP Materials, a U.S. critical minerals company, amid her re-election campaign in a closely divided district. Lee has faced prior scrutiny for profanity-laced social media posts targeting Donald Trump.

Rep. Susie Lee, a Nevada Democrat, expressed contradictory remarks during a public event, stating her commitment to bipartisanship while also declaring she wanted to 'beat the s--- out of' Pete Hegseth. The comments occurred as she discussed rare earth minerals and her advocacy for MP Materials, a U.S. company. Lee, who faces re-election in a closely divided district, has previously drawn scrutiny for profanity-laced social media posts.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth's 2026 Brussels speech highlighted the Trump administration's perceived abandonment of U.S. commitment to European security, aiming to shift defense burden to Europe and withdraw troops despite Europe's increased military efforts. Hegseth emphasized a push for a balanced NATO alliance with Europe.

Ukraine’s commander-in-chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi, publicly thanked outgoing U.S. Army Europe and Africa commander Gen. Christopher Donahue for strengthening military support to Kyiv during the war. Donahue resigned unexpectedly after 18 months in command, with reports citing pressure from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, though the Army has not confirmed the reason. Syrskyi highlighted Donahue’s role in delivering critical systems and saving Ukrainian lives.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth established the Direct Reporting Portfolio Manager for Unmanned Systems (DRPM-UxS) to consolidate Pentagon drone and autonomous systems programs under a single office reporting to Deputy Secretary Stephen Feinberg. The office oversees development, acquisition, and deployment of unmanned systems across all domains, excluding major defense acquisition programs, and inherits a $53.6 billion budget for autonomous drone platforms.

Gen. Christopher Donahue relinquished command of U.S. Army Europe and Africa after an 18-month tenure, with Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie named as acting commander. The Army has not disclosed the reason for the leadership change, which occurs amid broader Pentagon leadership shifts under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Donahue, who oversaw the 2021 U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, praised the team during his departure.

A federal judge ordered the Pentagon to temporarily halt a policy requiring New York Times journalists to be accompanied by an official escort, ruling it violated the First Amendment. The decision comes amid ongoing legal battles and tensions between the media and the Trump administration over Pentagon access restrictions.

President Trump considered escalating military action against Iran but opted for continued diplomatic negotiations, with officials noting flexibility on a nuclear deal deadline. Oman proposed a voluntary fee system for shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, while Saudi Arabia blocked a U.S. operation there, prompting U.S. threats to reduce military support. In Lebanon, 400,000 displaced people have returned to southern regions amid ongoing Israeli military presence.

US President Donald Trump has reviewed military options against Iran with senior officials but opted to continue diplomatic negotiations. Discussions included Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine, with Trump favoring diplomacy over resuming military strikes to avoid disrupting nuclear talks. Indirect negotiations in Doha continue, though Iran has refused direct meetings with the US.

A federal judge blocked the Pentagon from enforcing a media escort requirement for journalists, ruling it violates the First Amendment due to retaliation and viewpoint discrimination. The decision follows the Pentagon's 2025 press policy that led to an exodus of veteran journalists, with the judge citing the importance of a free press for national security.

US Republicans, led by Rep. Don Bacon, threaten to block an $88 billion Iran war spending bill unless 4,200 American troops are redeployed to Poland. The move risks derailing the bill, which includes farm aid and Ebola funding, amid tensions between GOP lawmakers and the Trump administration over troop withdrawals from Europe.

President Trump advised against using Signal after his advisers accidentally sent war plans to The Atlantic's editor, but top officials continued using the app for group chats with auto-deletion settings. The State Department released records via FOIA litigation, revealing Signal chats between national security figures, including a group with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Dan Caine, raising concerns about compliance with federal record-keeping laws.

Defense Department morale has reached a low point as Pete Hegseth repeatedly uses the four-word phrase 'Because I said so!' to respond to critics. The article highlights a decline in morale linked to Hegseth's responses.

The article examines the removal of experienced senior military officers under Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, comparing it to the Red Army purges of 1937-1938. It argues that combat experience is a critical strategic resource and questions the impact of leadership changes on military effectiveness.

Jonathan Swan outlines three key insights for CEOs navigating Trump's presidency: Trump prioritizes being viewed as a 'Great Man' in world history, operates through a small circle of loyalists including Vance and Marco Rubio, and may pursue volatile actions like territorial deals. The article highlights strategies for engaging Trump, such as leveraging direct communication channels.

Senator Tim Kaine (D-Va.) accused Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth of holding a grudge against the Army, suggesting Hegseth's ouster of Gen. Chris Donahue is part of a pattern of targeting the Army and promoting yes-men.

Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) criticized Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth after an influenza outbreak at an Air Force base in Texas. Cassidy, a licensed gastroenterologist and chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, made the comments on CBS News’s 'Face the Nation'.

Young Americans are significantly less likely than older generations to view China as a major threat, according to the Ronald Reagan Institute Summer Survey. The poll found sharp generational divides on issues like China's spying, military actions, and fentanyl trade, with younger Americans showing lower concern. Despite this, over 80% of Americans remain worried about China's role in fentanyl, spying, and land purchases, as U.S.-China relations seek stabilization after Trump's May summit with Xi Jinping.

A new poll reveals a sharp generational divide in U.S. public opinion on China, with younger Americans (18-29) far less likely than those 65+ to view China as a major threat. Concern levels differ significantly on issues like spying, military actions against Taiwan, technology theft, and fentanyl. Despite the divide, over 80% of Americans across all ages remain concerned about China's role in fentanyl flows and land purchases.

A gay rights activist is suing the U.S. Department of Defense to obtain a copy of its agreement with Scouting America, alleging conflicting claims about whether the organization agreed to ban transgender members. The Pentagon and Scouting America have provided differing accounts, with the latter stating its policy on transgender youth remains unchanged.

A gay rights activist is suing the Department of Defense to obtain a copy of its agreement with Scouting America, alleging conflicting claims about whether the deal bans transgender members. Scouting America states its policies welcoming transgender youth remain unchanged, while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth claims the agreement requires members to use 'biological sex at birth' for activities.

NATO's deputy commander urges member countries to increase defense spending, reaffirm support for Ukraine, and demonstrate unity ahead of a summit in Turkey. The article highlights tensions over U.S. President Trump's conflicting signals on NATO commitments and European nations' efforts to bolster their militaries.

Republican lawmakers are divided over Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's removal of Gen. Chris Donahue, the U.S. Army Europe and Africa commander. Some GOP lawmakers criticized Hegseth for allegedly disrupting Pentagon operations and displacing a respected military officer.

NATO's deputy commander urges the upcoming summit in Turkey to boost defense spending, reaffirm support for Ukraine, and demonstrate alliance unity. U.S. President Donald Trump has sent conflicting signals about America's European military posture, while European nations are increasing defense investments amid rising Russian threats.

NATO's deputy commander emphasizes the need for increased defense spending, reaffirmed support for Ukraine, and alliance unity ahead of a summit in Turkey. Conflicting U.S. signals under President Trump, including threats to withdraw forces and controversial remarks about Russia, alongside European defense efforts and UK political resignations over military funding, highlight tensions within the alliance.

Flu cases at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas have reached 275, increasing following the removal of the influenza vaccine mandate for service members by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

The article discusses historical precedents where U.S. presidents removed military leaders for failures and publicly explained their decisions. It criticizes recent dismissals of senior military officers by President Trump, advised by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, including General Chris Donahue, and argues these actions lack transparency and undermine military morale.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth claimed Scouting America is banning transgender people from participating openly, while the organization denied changing its policies. A complaint seeks disclosure of the Pentagon's agreement with Scouting America.

Democrats initiated impeachment proceedings against Linda McMahon, the U.S. education secretary, alleging her willful intent to dismantle the Department of Education. The resolution cites a 40% staff reduction and cancellation of grants, as noted in a report by the department’s Inspector General. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici filed three articles of impeachment, while McMahon defended her actions as improving student outcomes.