Pete Hegseth

Pete Hegseth serves as the Secretary of War/Defense in the Trump administration in 2026. He is responsible for implementing the President's national security doctrine into military policy, as evidenced by the 2026 National Defense Strategy which elevates Israel as a "model ally." Hegseth is also overseeing a shift in US defense strategy, urging allies to handle their own security. He is newsworthy due to several recent events, including a controversial boat strike that resulted in civilian deaths, arms sales to Singapore, and continued delays in fielding the first US hypersonic missile. Furthermore, Hegseth is facing scrutiny and legal action, including a lawsuit from Senator Mark Kelly who alleges an attempted demotion in retaliation for criticizing the administration and a DOJ investigation into lawmakers who warned troops about illegal orders.