Pete Hegseth

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Report: US Drones Search for Mexican Drug Labs

Secret program has apparently been expanded—with or without Mexico's cooperation

(Newser) - A secret government program to send US drones to look for fentanyl labs in Mexico has been dialed up under the Trump administration, reports the New York Times . Started under President Biden, the drone flights have increased under President Trump and his CIA director, John Ratcliffe, who've promised more...

Hegseth Doesn't Budge From 'Rookie Mistake' Stance

GOP senator wanted new defense secretary to retreat from comment about Ukraine's borders

(Newser) - Pete Hegseth "is going to be a great defense secretary," a Republican senator said Friday at the Munich Security Conference. But Hegseth did not fulfill Roger Wicker's hopes at the start of his first overseas trip in office, Politico reports, especially in saying Ukraine should not expect...

Hegseth Shoots Down Idea of Ukraine Joining NATO

Says it's unrealistic for the country to return to pre-2014 borders

(Newser) - Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is on his first overseas trip and met Wednesday with NATO and Ukrainian defense ministers in Brussels, giving what the BBC calls an "uncompromising speech." The Guardian has this line: that Hegseth is "here today to directly and unambiguously express that stark strategic...

Army May Resurrect 'Fort Bragg'
Fort Liberty Is
Once Again Fort Bragg
UPDATED
Feb 11, 2025 12:00 AM CST

Fort Liberty Is Once Again Fort Bragg

Though it's now named after a different Bragg

(Newser) - Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Monday signed a memorandum making good on one of President Trump's campaign promises: Fort Liberty is once again Fort Bragg. The memo declared the Army would rename it as such, though it's now named after Private First Class Roland L. Bragg, who won...

Trump Says Strikes in Somalia Targeted IS Planner, Recruits
US Strikes IS Targets in Somalia
Feb 1, 2025 12:56 PM CST

US Strikes IS Targets in Somalia

Pentagon reports that no civilians were harmed

(Newser) - The US military has conducted coordinated airstrikes against Islamic State operatives in Somalia, the first attacks in the African nation during President Trump's second term. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Saturday that the strikes by US Africa Command were directed by Trump and coordinated with Somalia's government, the...

The Pentagon Kicks Out NBC, NYT, NPR, Politico

The move is part of a plan to rotate access for media outlets each year

(Newser) - Four major news outlets will no longer have highly coveted office space at the Pentagon after the Defense Department released an internal memo announcing it's giving their space to other outlets. CNN's Haley Britzky posted the memo on X that said NBC News, the New York Times, NPR,...

In One of His First Acts, Hegseth Goes After Milley

The retired general's security clearance, security detail has been pulled

(Newser) - The Pentagon has yanked the security detail and security clearance for Gen. Mark Milley, the retired chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff whose relationship with President Trump has unraveled in recent years. The BBC reports the move was carried out on Tuesday by Pete Hegseth as one of his...

Trump Plans More Executive Orders on Military

On Hegseth's first day at work, president says he'll 'get transgender ideology the hell out of our military'

(Newser) - On Monday—Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's first day of work at the Pentagon—President Trump said he would sign multiple executive orders on the military. The president, speaking to House Republicans at a Florida conference, said he will offer "full reinstatement to any service member who was expelled...

Pete Hegseth Confirmed as Defense Secretary

Senate clears him in dramatic 51-50 vote, with VP Vance casting the tie-breaker

(Newser) - The Senate confirmed Pete Hegseth as the nation's defense secretary Friday in a dramatic late-night vote, swatting back questions about his qualifications to lead the Pentagon amid allegations of heavy drinking and aggressive behavior toward women, per the AP . Vice President JD Vance had to cast the tie-breaking vote,...

Ahead of Friday Vote, Hegseth's Odds Look Strong

Senate expected to confirm him as the next defense secretary

(Newser) - Barring a last-minute surprise, it looks like Pete Hegseth will be the next defense secretary after all. The Senate is on track to vote on his confirmation Friday evening, and the former Fox host appears to have the support he needs, reports the New York Times .
  • Republicans were able to
...

2 Republicans Oppose Hegseth Nomination

Final confirmation vote is expected Friday or Saturday

(Newser) - Pete Hegseth cleared a key Senate vote to advance his nomination Thursday, but it was a near thing—two Republican senators joined Democrats in voting against him, making it 51 to 49. A final vote on confirming Hegseth as defense secretary is expected late Friday or early Saturday, ABC News...

New Allegations Against Hegseth Surface

Former sister-in-law says he was abusive toward second wife

(Newser) - In a sworn statement provided to senators, Pete Hegseth's former sister-in-law says he was so "abusive" toward his second wife that she feared for her safety. In the statement, Danielle Hegseth says her sister Samantha, who was married to Hegseth from 2010 to 2018, once hid in a...

5 Takeaways From the Hegseth Hearing

Joni Ernst, considered a key Republican vote, says he has her support

(Newser) - Pete Hegseth, President-elect Trump's nominee for defense secretary, was grilled by members of the Senate Armed Services Committee Tuesday about issues including his views on women in combat. Some takeaways from the often testy confirmation hearing:
  • He probably has enough votes. "None of his answers seemed to disturb
...

'I Do Not Believe That You Are Qualified'

Pete Hegseth, defense nominee grilled at Senate hearing, cites a 'smear campaign' against him

(Newser) - Pete Hegseth was getting grilled on Capitol Hill Tuesday in his confirmation hearing to be the next defense secretary. At the same time, the former Fox host defended himself against what he calls a "smear campaign" by the media. Some early highlights:
  • Critic: "I do not believe that
...

Hegseth: I'll Restore 'Warrior Ethos' to Pentagon
Hegseth: I'll Restore
'Warrior Ethos' to Pentagon
the rundown
Jan 14, 2025 6:34 AM CST

Hegseth: I'll Restore 'Warrior Ethos' to Pentagon

Confirmation hearings begin Tuesday for controversial nominee

(Newser) - The confirmation hearing for one of the highest-profile of President-elect Trump's nominees gets underway in DC on Tuesday—former Fox host Pete Hegseth, who may become the next defense secretary.
  • 'Warrior ethos:' The 44-year-old Army vet will promise to restore "the warrior ethos to the Pentagon"
...

Graham: Hegseth to Free Accuser From NDA

SC senator says he's a tentative 'yes' on ex-Fox News host leading DOD, despite sex assault claim

(Newser) - Pete Hegseth's path to becoming secretary of defense has seen multiple obstacles, including a 2017 sexual assault allegation and an unflattering email from his own mother . On the latter, GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham says Hegseth is ready to make a big move—releasing his accuser in that case from...

Pete Hegseth's Chances Have Suddenly Improved
How Pete Hegseth's Chances
Have Suddenly Improved
the rundown
Dec 10, 2024 6:54 AM CST

How Pete Hegseth's Chances Have Suddenly Improved

Skeptical GOP senator, Joni Ernst, signals support after fierce backlash

(Newser) - A week ago, it seemed that Pete Hegseth's chances of becoming the next defense secretary were doomed, with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis floated as a possible replacement . Things look much different now, however, after what Punchbowl News describes as a "vibe shift" on Capitol Hill in favor of...

Trump Says Support for Hegseth Is 'Strong and Deep'

'We've got his back,' Vance says

(Newser) - After days of relative silence on his nominee for defense secretary and rumors that he was eyeing replacements , President-elect Trump spoke out in support of Pete Hegseth Friday morning. Hegseth "is doing very well. His support is strong and deep, much more so than the Fake News would have...

Pete Hegseth Says He's 'Not Going Anywhere'

He vows to abstain from alcohol as defense secretary to woo hesitant senators

(Newser) - "We're not going anywhere," Pete Hegseth told reporters Wednesday as he tried to convince lawmakers to back his bid to become defense secretary. "I spoke to the president this morning, he supports me fully," said the former Fox News host. President-elect Trump is reportedly considering...

Trump Might Have a Job for DeSantis
Trump Might Have
a Job for DeSantis
Dec 4, 2024 10:30 AM CST

Trump Might Have a Job for DeSantis

Florida governor is among possible replacements for Pete Hegseth as defense secretary: reports

(Newser) - If Pete Hegseth's background check proves troublesome, President-elect Trump won't be ill-prepared. Trump is eyeing replacements for his pick as defense secretary as Hegseth finds himself deeper and deeper in muck, media outlets are reporting, noting Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is among those who could nab the job....

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