Secretary of Defense

Pentagon faces bipartisan criticism over lack of communication with Congress

Pentagon November 6

Pentagon faces bipartisan criticism over lack of communication with Congress

Senate Armed Services Committee grills Trump nominees over communication breakdowns, policy confusion and lack of congressional consultation on key decisions.

Trump’s narco-terror boat crackdown hailed by mothers of victims: ‘One boat, two boat, three boat—boom’

Drug and Substance Abuse November 2

Trump’s narco-terror boat crackdown hailed by mothers of victims: ‘One boat, two boat, three boat—boom’

Trump administration launches military strikes against suspected drug boats as fentanyl crisis escalates. "Angel Moms" support "decisive action" after Senate backs policy.

US, China agree to open direct military hotline after Xi-Trump summit

Pete Hegseth November 2

US, China agree to open direct military hotline after Xi-Trump summit

War Secretary Pete Hegseth says he had a "positive" meeting with China’s defense chief Dong Jun as both sides agreed to open military channels to ease tensions.

War Department escalates campaign against narco-terror at sea with 15th strike: 'They will not succeed'

Terrorism November 2

War Department escalates campaign against narco-terror at sea with 15th strike: 'They will not succeed'

The U.S. military has launched its 15th maritime strike targeting narco-terror groups, as War Secretary Pete Hegseth vows continued action to stop cartels.

Trump counters reports of possible Venezuela strikes

VIDEO October 31

Trump counters reports of possible Venezuela strikes

Fox News senior national correspondent Aishah Hasnie has the latest on whether President Donald Trump has made up his mind on striking Venezuela on 'Special Report.'

Hegseth, in talks with Chinese counterpart, says US will 'stoutly defend' interests in Indo-Pacific

China October 31

Hegseth, in talks with Chinese counterpart, says US will 'stoutly defend' interests in Indo-Pacific

U.S. War Secretary Pete Hegseth told his Chinese counterpart the U.S. will “stoutly defend" its Indo-Pacific interests during talks in Malaysia.

Colorado sues Trump over Space Command move, calls relocation unconstitutional

Colorado October 29

Colorado sues Trump over Space Command move, calls relocation unconstitutional

Colorado files federal lawsuit against Trump, alleging unconstitutional retaliation over Space Command move to Alabama as punishment for state's mail-in voting.

Chris Murphy claims Trump is using 'king-like powers' to accept donation paying military troops

Donald Trump October 27

Chris Murphy claims Trump is using 'king-like powers' to accept donation paying military troops

Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy accused President Trump of exercising "king-like powers" by accepting billionaire Timothy Mellon's military pay donation.

Qatari embassy official reveals Biden admin role in new Idaho training facility finalized under Trump

Idaho October 24

Qatari embassy official reveals Biden admin role in new Idaho training facility finalized under Trump

A senior Qatari embassy official outlined the details of the controversial Qatari Emiri Air Force facility at the Mountain Home Air Base in Idaho.

US kills 6 suspected narco-terrorists in overnight strike on alleged drug smuggling boat, Hegseth says

Narco-Terror October 24

US kills 6 suspected narco-terrorists in overnight strike on alleged drug smuggling boat, Hegseth says

War Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the tenth strike on an alleged drug smuggling boat, saying another six alleged narco-terrorists were killed overnight.

3 killed in US strike on Colombian ELN vessel smuggling narcotics, Hegseth says

Secretary of Defense October 19

3 killed in US strike on Colombian ELN vessel smuggling narcotics, Hegseth says

The U.S. military conducted a lethal strike in international waters against a suspected drug vessel, killing three alleged terrorists, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said.

War Secretary Pete Hegseth's plane makes 'unscheduled landing' after windshield crack

Secretary of Defense October 15

War Secretary Pete Hegseth's plane makes 'unscheduled landing' after windshield crack

An aircraft carrying War Secretary Pete Hegseth made an unscheduled landing in England.

War Department launches new counter-narcotics task force under Trump directive to crush cartels

U.S. Defense & Military Politics October 10

War Department launches new counter-narcotics task force under Trump directive to crush cartels

A new counter-narcotics task force was established in the Caribbean as the Trump administration conducts strikes against boats allegedly linked to drug trafficking.

War Department pushes back on 'false' narrative of internal strategy split

U.S. Defense & Military Politics October 1

War Department pushes back on 'false' narrative of internal strategy split

The Department of War pushes back against reports of senior officer concerns about the National Defense Strategy's development and priorities.

The Night Cap crew weighs in on Secretary of War Hegseth's speech

VIDEO October 1

The Night Cap crew weighs in on Secretary of War Hegseth's speech

The Night Cap panelists discuss Secretary of War Pete Hegseth addressing military fitness standards on 'Fox News @ Night.'

Trace Gallagher: Hegseth's speech was not aimed at the weak, it was aimed at American strength

VIDEO September 30

Trace Gallagher: Hegseth's speech was not aimed at the weak, it was aimed at American strength

The 'Common Sense Department' was encouraged by Secretary of War Hegseth’s message to the military to shape up or ship out.

This was probably the best military speech since the days of General Patton: Jack Posobiec

VIDEO September 30

This was probably the best military speech since the days of General Patton: Jack Posobiec

Turning Point USA contributor Jack Posobiec discusses Secretary of War Pete Hegseth's military address and more on 'Fox News @ Night.'

There should never have been 'two standards' for men and women in the military: Jim Hanson

VIDEO September 30

There should never have been 'two standards' for men and women in the military: Jim Hanson

U.S. Army Special Forces veteran Jim Hanson discusses Sec. of War Pete Hegseth's military address on 'Jesse Watters Primetime.'

Laura: Trump has just begun cutting out 'woke' in the military

VIDEO September 30

Laura: Trump has just begun cutting out 'woke' in the military

Fox News host Laura Ingraham praises War Secretary Pete Hegseth for bringing back military standards on 'The Ingraham Angle.'

Hegseth instates 'highest male standard only' for combat, other changes, declaring Dept of Defense 'is over'

MILITARY September 30

Hegseth instates 'highest male standard only' for combat, other changes, declaring Dept of Defense 'is over'

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announces changes to physical requirements for combat personnel and other policy shifts eliminating DEI in the military.

Joey Jones touts Sec. Hegseth's new military directives: 'Exactly what we need to hear'

VIDEO September 30

Joey Jones touts Sec. Hegseth's new military directives: 'Exactly what we need to hear'

Fox News' Alexandria Hoff provides details on the Trump administration's 'peace through strength' messaging to top military brass after Sec. Pete Hegseth delivered new directives. 'The Big Weekend Show' co-host Joey Jones weighs in.

Calling in the generals: What Hegseth’s top-brass meeting should — and shouldn't — mean

Opinion September 30

Calling in the generals: What Hegseth’s top-brass meeting should — and shouldn't — mean

The rare mass gathering of U.S. flag officers at Quantico is an opportunity to clarify civilian-military relations as leaders plan -course corrections.

Louisiana governor requests 1,000 National Guard troops to fight violent crime wave across state

Crime September 30

Louisiana governor requests 1,000 National Guard troops to fight violent crime wave across state

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry formally requests 1,000 National Guard personnel under Title 32 to address overwhelming crime in New Orleans and other cities.

Pete Hegseth plans rare in-person meeting with hundreds of officers

VIDEO September 25

Pete Hegseth plans rare in-person meeting with hundreds of officers

Fox News chief national security correspondent Jennifer Griffin has the latest on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's invitation sending 'shockwaves' to his officer corps on 'The Story.'

Trump unleashes US military power on cartels. Is a wider war looming?

White House September 24

Trump unleashes US military power on cartels. Is a wider war looming?

President Donald Trump has authorized military strikes against alleged Venezuelan drug vessels in the Caribbean, prompting congressional questions about legality.

Hegseth, Noem on board with ‘vital step’ to create Coast Guard secretary amid Trump’s drug smuggling crackdown

Homeland Security September 24

Hegseth, Noem on board with ‘vital step’ to create Coast Guard secretary amid Trump’s drug smuggling crackdown

EXCLUSIVE: Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem endorse establishing a Coast Guard secretary as part of broader service reforms.

Pete Hegseth axes Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services, citing divisive agenda

U.S. Defense & Military Politics September 23

Pete Hegseth axes Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services, citing divisive agenda

War Secretary Pete Hegseth ends the civilian advisory committee focused on women in the military, claiming it promotes a feminist agenda that undermines uniform standards.

Jonathan Turley: This Pentagon measure is a 'bridge too far,' 'stranglehold' on free press

VIDEO September 22

Jonathan Turley: This Pentagon measure is a 'bridge too far,' 'stranglehold' on free press

Fox News contributor Jonathan Turley analyzes concerns over press freedom following a mandate from the Pentagon on 'Special Report.'

EXCLUSIVE: Pentagon denies NBC report on Charlie Kirk recruiting campaign, calls it '100% wrong'

U.S. Defense & Military Politics September 18

EXCLUSIVE: Pentagon denies NBC report on Charlie Kirk recruiting campaign, calls it '100% wrong'

The Pentagon denied an NBC report claiming it planned a recruiting campaign tied to slain activist Charlie Kirk, blasting it as false and based on anonymous sources.

Pentagon suspends Army colonel for celebrating Charlie Kirk's death

Charlie Kirk September 15

Pentagon suspends Army colonel for celebrating Charlie Kirk's death

Pentagon suspends Army colonel Scott Stephens over social media posts mocking Charlie Kirk's killing, citing zero tolerance policy for such behavior.