Peter Brian Hegseth: Biography and Career Overview

By Gage Skidmore

Peter Brian Hegseth (born June 6, 1980) is an American television presenter, author, and Army National Guard officer, recently nominated as the next Secretary of Defence in Donald Trump’s second administration. Since joining Fox News as a political commentator in 2014, Hegseth became well-known for his role as co-host of Fox & Friends Weekend from 2017 to 2024. Before his career in broadcasting, Hegseth served as executive director of both Vets for Freedom and Concerned Veterans for America, advocating for conservative veterans’ issues.

Political Influence and Trump Alliance

Hegseth has been active in conservative and Republican politics since his time as a student at Princeton University, where he was an outspoken advocate for conservative values. During the 2016 election, he became a vocal supporter and advisor to Donald Trump, leveraging his media presence to rally support. He reportedly influenced Trump’s decision to pardon three American soldiers convicted of actions against non-combatants in Iraq. Additionally, he defended the treatment of detainees at Guantanamo Bay, where he had served as a platoon leader.

Early in Trump’s first administration, Hegseth was considered for the role of Secretary of Veterans Affairs, though the position ultimately went to David Shulkin. In November 2024, with Trump’s return to the presidency, Hegseth was named as his intended nominee for Secretary of Defence.

Early Life and Education

Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Hegseth grew up in Forest Lake, Minnesota, where he attended Forest Lake Area High School, graduating as valedictorian in 1999. He played both football and basketball before moving on to Princeton University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Politics in 2003. At Princeton, he was active in conservative journalism with the Princeton Tory and played basketball under coach John Thompson III, competing in the NCAA tournament in 2001. Later, in 2013, he completed a Master of Public Policy (MPP) at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.

Military Service

Upon graduating from Princeton in 2003, Hegseth joined Bear Stearns as an equity capital markets analyst while concurrently serving as an infantry officer in the Minnesota National Guard. His military career began with deployment to Guantanamo Bay in 2004, where he served as an infantry platoon leader and received the Army Commendation Medal. Following this, Hegseth volunteered for combat duty in Iraq, where he served in both Baghdad and Samarra, earning several commendations, including the Bronze Star Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, and a second Army Commendation Medal.

In 2012, Hegseth returned to active duty as a captain, deploying to Afghanistan, where he served as a senior counterinsurgency instructor at the Counterinsurgency Training Centre in Kabul. By 2016, he had attained the rank of Major in the Army Individual Ready Reserve. In 2021, Hegseth volunteered to be among the National Guard troops protecting the inauguration of President Joe Biden; however, he was dismissed from the assignment due to allegations of associations with militia groups and “extremist views,” a claim he refuted, citing his Jerusalem Cross tattoo as the misunderstood reason for his removal.

Continued Influence

As Secretary of Defence nominee, Hegseth’s alignment with Trump’s policies and his military and media experience underscores his continued influence within the conservative and veteran communities.