Pete Hegseth

Donald Trump’s contempt for logic could end in devastation for the United States - opinion

When the US president dismisses logic, the danger extends beyond politics to disaster for the world.

US President Donald Trump is seen at a meeting in the White House earlier this month. The president wants to be visibly anti-intellectual, the writer says.
US soldiers attached to the Iowa National Guard sign GBU-31 munitions systems in the US Central Command area of responsibility December 18, 2025 as the US military launched large-scale strikes against dozens of Islamic State targets in Syria in retaliation for an attack on US personnel.

US, Jordanian forces conduct joint strikes on Islamic State targets in Syria, Hegseth confirms

US DEFENSE SECRETARY Pete Hegseth speaks during the Reagan National Defense Forum at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California, in December 2025.

Israel needs to change its US strategy with Trump, Hegseth in charge - opinion

U.S. President Donald Trump is reflected on the glasses of White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles as he speaks to the media, before he departs en route to Norfolk, Virginia, October 5, 2025.

Wiles says Trump has 'an alcoholic’s personality', claims Musk is microdosing, Vance conspiracist


Silicon Valley-backed defense firms face growing pains after hot streak

Defense-tech companies face a bigger challenge: moving beyond research and prototype contracts to producing weapons at scale

The Pentagon is seen from the air in Washington, DC, US, March 3, 2022.

Hegseth says he would have ordered second strike on Caribbean vessel

"I fully support that strike," Hegseth said at the Reagan National Defense Forum in Simi Valley, California. "I would have made the same call myself."

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.

Did the US military commit a war crime in boat attack off Venezuela? - explainer

Members of Congress said they would investigate whether or not the US military broke the law during its strikes on a suspected drug trafficking boat in the Caribbean.

US President Donald Trump attends a cabinet meeting with US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth at the White House in Washington, DC, US, December 2, 2025.

Democrats troubled by video of US strike on Caribbean drug boat, Republicans defend attack

The second strike, ordered by Admiral Frank Bradley, led some lawmakers to suggest that the US may have violated the law of war.

US Navy Admiral Frank "Mitch" Bradley walks in a hallway, as he departs a classified briefing for leaders of the Senate Armed Services Committee on US strikes against Venezuelan boats suspected of smuggling drugs, on Capitol Hill in Washington, December 4, 2025.

New York Times sues Pentagon over press access

The Times challenges a Pentagon rule that could label reporters as security risks for seeking sensitive information.

People walk by The New York Times building in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., September 16, 2025.

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