Pete Hegseth
2028 Republican presidential nominee
$47.3M
NOV 7, 2028Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleOther
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
Age46 years old (Jun 6, 1980)
GenderMale
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BackgroundU.S. government official
EducationPrinceton University (B.A.)
Notable personal detailsPeter Brian Hegseth is a U.S. government official who has served as U.S. Secretary of Defense since January 25, 2025. He previously worked as a television host and commentator, including as a co-host of Fox & Friends Weekend. He is an Army National Guard veteran and has been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. He earned a B.A. from Princeton University and an M.P.P. from Harvard University.
SourcesShowHide
Positions
Economy & Taxes
Favors lower taxes and pro-growth tax cuts, including support for corporate tax reductions, and advocates reducing government spending and cutting what he describes as wasteful federal contracts. Positions emphasize tax relief to spur jobs and economic growth rather than tax increases.
Healthcare
Supports privatization and market-based approaches to health care, has criticized the Affordable Care Act, and has advocated for cuts or structural changes to government programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, and the Veterans Affairs system. Has pushed for expanding private choice for veterans rather than expanding government-run care.
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Immigration & Border
Supports aggressive, enforcement-first border policies including expanded military involvement at the southern border, use of detention and deportation (including use of Guantanamo Bay for processing/deportation), and restoration/expansion of restrictive immigration measures. Advocates for achieving ‘‘operational control’’ of the border and deploying additional troops and resources to stop illegal entry and enable removals.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Pete Hegseth describes himself as personally pro-life and has said he does not believe the federal government should fund travel for abortion; he indicated he would review and advise on Department of Defense policies to limit federally funded abortion-related travel. He has supported redirecting federal funding away from organizations that perform abortions.
Climate & Energy
Pete Hegseth rejects Department of Defense involvement in climate initiatives and has publicly described climate-change efforts as political or ideological. He has said the DOD "does not do climate change" and supported cutting Pentagon climate programs and related research.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports broad Second Amendment rights, opposes creating gun-owner databases or broadly stripping firearms from service members, and favors allowing concealed carry (including arguing service members should be trusted with sidearms). Expresses opposition to significant new gun-control measures while endorsing arming or permitting carry in some contexts for security.
News
Pete Hegseth has been in the news for campaigning in Kentucky for Republican Ed Gallrein in the race against Rep. Thomas Massie, an appearance tied to efforts by Trump allies to shape the GOP primary. The Pentagon said he attended in a personal capacity and that no taxpayer dollars were used. He is also being mentioned as a possible future Republican presidential contender, and recent coverage has linked him to Trump’s more aggressive military posture as defense secretary.
Pete Hegseth to visit NKY with Gallrein day before primary election
Trump military strikes span Caribbean to Iran in assertive campaign
Defense Secretary Steps Into Key Kentucky Election To Attack Trump Critic
I Know Exactly Who Is Plotting to Take Trump’s Job: Biographer
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
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