Pete Hegseth

October 7 would not have happened under Trump, Hegseth claims

On Iran, Hegseth warned that in all cases, the US military "will be prepared to deliver whatever this President expects of the War Department."

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks during the Reagan National Defense Forum at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California, US, December 6, 2025.
Family members of Chad Joseph who believe Joseph was killed in a US military strike on a boat in the Caribbean, sit together as his family demands evidence to support US President Donald Trump’s claim that the victims were drug traffickers, in Las Cuevas, Trinidad and Tobago October 16, 2025.

'Must be held accountable': Trump admin. sued over deaths in boat strike off Venezuela's coast

This picture taken 26 December 2011 shows the Pentagon building in Washington, DC.

Pentagon's 2026 defense strategy names Israel a ‘model ally,’ shifts to ‘peace through strength’

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (R) and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (L) speak following a closed door Senate meeting on the US capture of Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro, and his wife Cilia Flores, January 7, 2026.

Rubio says US plan for Venezuela is stability, recovery, then transition


Pentagon review faults Hegseth over Signal messages on Yemen strikes, sources say

Hegseth shared details on the imminent March 15 launch of attacks on Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi fighters with a group of security officials and accidentally included reporter Jeffrey Goldberg

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth attends a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, after a meeting of NATO Defense Ministers at the Alliance headquarters, in Brussels, Belgium October 15, 2025.

White House says admiral approved second strike on boat from Venezuela, defends attack as lawful

The White House says Admiral Frank Bradley acted within the law, as lawmakers question the operation’s legality.

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks during a meeting with Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader at the National Palace, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic November 26, 2025.

Republicans press for answers on Venezuela strikes despite Trump’s backing

Republican lawmakers are demanding clarity on Venezuela boat strikes after reports of a second, possibly illegal, strike.

The US Navy’s Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group, including the flagship USS Gerald R. Ford, USS Winston S. Churchill, USS Mahan and USS Bainbridge, sail towards the Caribbean Sea under F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and a US Air Force B-52 Stratofortress, in the Atlantic Ocean November 13, 2025.

White House says Hegseth approved strikes on Venezuela boat, defends actions as legal

The White House says Pete Hegseth approved strikes on a Venezuelan vessel as lawmakers question the legality of the operation.

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth arrives at the US Capitol ahead of a briefing with members of Congress in Washington, DC, US, November 5, 2025.

Pete Hegseth gave orders to 'kill everybody' in Caribbean boat strike, officials urge caution

“The idea that wreckage from one small boat in a vast ocean is a hazard to marine traffic is patently absurd, and killing survivors is blatantly illegal,” one source knowledgeable of the matter said.

 US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks to senior military leaders at Marine Corps Base Quantico, in Quantico, Virginia, US, September 30, 2025.

FBI probing Democrats who called for US military to refuse illegal Trump orders

US President Donald Trump also has accused the six Democrats of sedition and said in a social media post that the crime is punishable by death.

FBI Director Kash Patel speaks during a press briefing at the White House in Washington, DC, US, November 12, 2025

US designates Venezuela’s Cartel de los Soles a terrorist group, escalating pressure on Maduro

Venezuela's government rejected what it called a "ridiculous" US plan to designate the "non-existent" group.

Supporters march during a protest to support the President of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro on August 11, 2025 in Caracas, Venezuela.

US F-35 jet sale to Saudi Arabia raises concerns over Israel's military edge in region - NYT

A Pentagon report also warns of the risk that China could acquire the advanced fighter jet technology through espionage or its security partnership with Saudi Arabia.

A US Marine Corps F-35 takes off from the former Roosevelt Roads Naval Station in Ceiba, Puerto Rico, October 29, 2025.

Hegseth announces Operation Southern Spear to counter drug trafficking in Western Hemisphere

The US has conducted its 20th strike against alleged drug trafficking vessels, killing "four narco-terrorists."

 US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks to senior military leaders at Marine Corps Base Quantico, in Quantico, Virginia, US, September 30, 2025.

Trump seeks progress on Israel–Saudi normalization ahead of crown prince WH meeting - report

The main issue, according to the report, is Saudi Arabia’s demand that Israel take concrete steps toward establishing a Palestinian state with a clear timeline, a demand Netanyahu has not accepted.

US President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed Bin Salman attend a bilateral meeting at the Royal Court in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 13, 2025