Trump Taps Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense, Praises His ‘America First’ Beliefs

President-elect Donald Trump has named Fox News host and military veteran Pete Hegseth as his pick for Secretary of Defense.

Trump announced the decision on Tuesday via his social media platform: “Pete is tough, smart, and a true believer in America First. With Pete at the helm, America’s enemies are on notice – Our Military will be Great Again, and America will Never Back Down.”

Hegseth, 44, holds degrees from Princeton and Harvard. He served in the Army, reaching the rank of major before retiring. His military career includes two bronze star medals earned during deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Following his military service, Hegseth unsuccessfully bid for a Minnesota Senate seat in 2012. For the past eight years, he has been a prominent figure on Fox News.

Trump praised Hegseth’s dedication, stating that no one had fought harder for the troops than Pete. He described him as a patriot who exemplifies the “peace through strength” doctrine.

Axios called the selection “a surprising choice,” noting that Hegseth’s non-interventionist “America First” foreign policy stance sets him apart from Trump’s other national security picks.

The report contrasted Hegseth with Trump’s more hawkish nominees, including Marco Rubio for Secretary of State and Mike Waltz for National Security Advisor, who are known for their more traditional, interventionist approaches.