Pete Hegseth News - Latest Updates & Headlines
Pentagon Chief warns China preparing for war, labels Beijing top threat to US
Washington D.C., June 12: US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth stated on Tuesday that China poses a more aggressive threat to the US and that repelling Beijing is the Pentagon's top regional priority, despite its rapid military development and invasion manoeuvres near Taiwan, according to a Taipei Times report.
Because it could be dangerous: Trump confirms US pullout from Middle East amid tensions with Iran
Washington, June 12: The White House has decided to pull some American personnel from several Middle Eastern countries, citing growing regional tensions amid the halt in the nuclear talks between the US and Iran.
US partially evacuates embassy staff from Iraq
Washington, June 12: Non-essential US embassy staff and their dependents have been ordered to leave Iraq due to unspecified security risks, sources from the US State Department have said.
It could be a dangerous place, Trump on US military being evacuated from Middle East
Washington DC, June 12: US President Donald Trump on Thursday while attending a performance of Les Miserables at the Kennedy Center said that the US military personnel are being moved out of some countries in the Middle East because it would otherwise be perilous.
Trump praises National Guard keeping America safe and strong, bans masks at LA protest
Washington DC, June 8: US President Donald Trump on Sunday praised the National Guard in Los Angeles for their role in tackling two days of protests.
NATO defence ministers struggle to bridge divides over military spending goals
Brussels, June 7: NATO defence ministers meeting in Brussels, "broadly" agreed to pursue a significant increase in member states' military spending to 5 per cent of GDP. However, sharp disagreements over the timeline and spending categories revealed deep divisions ahead of the alliance's upcoming summit in The Hague, scheduled for June 24-25.
Pentagon to comprehensively review the US 'embarrassing' withdrawal from Afghanistan
Washington, May 21: US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth has instructed the Pentagon to launch a comprehensive review of the "disastrous and embarrassing withdrawal" of the US from Afghanistan in 2021.
We stand with India...: US Defence Secy Hegseth speaks to Rajnath Singh, offers strong support
Washington, DC, May 2: US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth spoke to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and extended condolences over the loss of lives in the terror attack in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir.
Hegseth extends Rajnath Singh 'strong support' on Pahalgam terrorist attack
Washington, May 2: US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth on Thursday extended his "strong support" for India on a call with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh over the Pahalgam terrorist attack.
Rajnath Singh speaks with Defence Secy Hegseth, says US supports India's right to defend itself
New Delhi, May 1: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday spoke to US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth, who expressed deep condolences over the loss of innocent lives in the recent terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's (J-K) Pahalgam.
Rajnath Singh speaks with US counterpart Pete Hegseth
New Delhi, May 1: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh spoke with his US counterpart, Pete Hegseth, on Thursday, according to defence ministry officials.
US stands in solidarity with India, supports the right to defend itself: Pete Hegseth
New Delhi, May 1: US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held a telephonic conversation on Thursday during which the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack was discussed, an official said.
Joe Kasper steps down as Chief of Staff to Defence Secretary Hegseth, moves to advisory role
Washington DC, April 25: US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth's chief of staff, Joe Kasper, officially stepped down from his position on Thursday, according to a report by The Washington Post.
They got Pulitzers for a bunch of lies: US Def Secy Hegseth attacks media over signal chat controversy
Washington DC, April 22: The Secretary of Defence of the United States, Pete Hegseth, in a post on social media, criticised the media's handling of the Signal chat controversy. Hegseth expressed scepticism about the media's sudden interest in the story after a few individuals were fired for leaking information.
White House looking to replace Pentagon chief Hegseth over Signal chat controversy: Report
Washington, April 22: The White House has started a process to look for a new Pentagon chief, a US broadcaster said following media reports that Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth shared sensitive military information in a group chat that included his wife and brother.
US: Pete Hegseth shared military operation details in private chat including family
Washington DC, April 21: Pentagon chief and the United States Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth shared sensitive information about the planned strike in Yemen on March 15 in a private group chat that included his wife, brother and personal lawyer, the New York Times reported on Sunday.
Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth shared sensitive Yemen strike details in private chat with family: Report
Washington, April 21: US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth disclosed classified military plans regarding airstrikes on Yemen in a private signal group chat with his family members and close personal associates.
US to boost Philippine military to counter China, says defence chief
Manila, April 12: US has planned to strengthen the Philippines' military capabilities and increase joint military drills, according to Manila's defense chief, amid rising tensions between Washington and Beijing, as reported by Taipei Times.
US warns of 'unacceptable risk' from Chinese control of Panama Canal ports, vows to counter influence
Washington DC, April 9: Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, during a visit to the Central American country, stated that China's dominance over Panama Canal ports poses an unacceptable risk to US security.
US: Pentagon to probe Pete Hegseth's use of Signal app for Yemen military actions
Washington DC, April 4: The Acting Inspector General (IG) of the US Department of Defence (Pentagon) will investigate Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth's use of Signal in a group chat with other national security officials to discuss military actions against the Houthis in Yemen last month, according to a letter from the IG's office on Thursday, CNN reported.
US to strengthen military ties with Philippines to counter China's aggression in Indo-Pacific
Manila, March 29: US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, during his visit to Manila, said that the United States will strengthen its military partnership with the Philippines to "reinforce deterrence" against "China's aggression" in the Indo-Pacific region, as reported by CNN News.
US boosts Indo-Pacific presence amid rising tensions with China
Manila, March 28: The US military is "posturing forward" in the Indo-Pacific area, including the Philippines, to reinforce deterrence amid rising regional tensions due to Beijing's assertiveness in the South China Sea (SCS), stated the Pentagon chief on Wednesday, as reported by Inquirer.net.
Leaked Signal chats reveal Trump officials sharing Yemen strike plans, admin downplays security breach
Washington, DC, March 27: A leaked Signal chat has revealed that senior Trump administration officials, including Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, National Security Adviser Michael Waltz, and CIA Director John Ratcliffe, shared details about an upcoming military strike on Yemen, The Atlantic reported.
US Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene tells British reporter to 'Go Back' amid question on Yemen attack plans leak
Washington, DC, March 27: US Republican House Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene lashed out at a British journalist during a press conference on Wednesday, telling her to "go back" to the UK after being questioned about the so-called Signalgate controversy, Politico reported.
There was no classified information: Gabbard on Yemen strikes messaging leaks
Washington, DC, March 26: Several of President Donald Trump's senior national security officials, with backing from a key Senate Republican, placed responsibility on Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth for transmitting potentially classified information in a group chat discussing US military strikes in Yemen, which included a journalist as a participant, CNN reported.
US Defence Secy Hegseth embarks on first Indo-Pacific tour
Washington DC, March 24: US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth departed on Sunday (local time) for his first Indo-Pacific in his current role, with stops in Hawaii, Guam, Philippines, and Japan.
Trump announces Pentagon's decision to move forward with Sixth-Generation Fighter jet F-47
Washington DC, March 22: US President Donald Trump announced the Pentagon's decision to proceed with the development of a next-generation fighter jet, designated the F-47, during joint remarks with Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth from the Oval Office on Friday (local time), CNN reported.
Ensuring US Military has greatest fighting force world has ever known: Defence Secy hosts Elon Musk at Pentagon
Washington DC, March 22: Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth hosted entrepreneur and Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Head Elon Musk at the Pentagon, where they discussed innovation, efficiency, and smarter production within the Defense Department.
Pulling back Musk's overreach, Trump acknowledges he could have conflicts
New York, March 22: In a sign of US President Donald Trump pulling back Elon Musk's overreach, the President has acknowledged his possible conflict of interest after his reported briefing on US war plans for China was scrapped.
Trump unveils F 47, America's sixth-generation fighter jets
Washington, March 21: President Donald Trump on Friday announced plans for the US military to induct a sixth generation of fighter jets called F 47s, a toned-down version of it will be available to allies. The aircraft is being built by Boeing.
Trump administration planning military buffer zones to hold illegal migrants at southern border: Report
Washington DC, March 20: The Donald Trump administration is planning to take control of the buffer zone along the southern border in New Mexico and to empower US troops to hold migrants illegally entering the country, The Washington Post reported quoting officials familiar with the matter.
US Press Secy Leavitt says President Trump 'tough' on China as US imposes tariff hikes
Washington, March 6: The White House has said that US President Donald Trump has been "very tough" on China when it came towards the imposition of tariffs on the country.
President has been very tough on China: US Press Secy Leavitt says on tariffs
Washington DC, March 6: The White House said that US President Donald Trump has been very tough on China when it came towards the imposition of tariffs on the country.
Israel's Defense Minister Katz thanks US counterpart for 'Accelerating Shipments of Weapons'
Tel Aviv, March 4: Israel Defence Minister Israel Katz spoke with US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, whom he thanked, for President Trump's support for accelerating shipments of weapons and security equipment to Israel, and for his commitment to the "strong alliance between the countries."
Trump replaces Biden's pick for US General with Razin
Washington DC, February 23: In an unexpected move, US President Donald Trump dismissed the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Charles Q. Brown, and appointed retired Air Force Lieutenant General John Dan "Razin" Caine as his replacement, CNN reported.
Trump administration fires top US General, Navy Chief in unprecedented Pentagon shakeup
Washington DC, February 22: In a major upheaval of the US military, the Donald Trump administration on Friday (local time) fired the top US general, a development which was followed by his defence secretary Pete Hegseth firing the Chief of the US Navy and the vice chief of the Air Force, CNN reported.
Trump fires chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Washington, Feb 22: President Donald Trump announced late Friday that US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff CQ Brown was stepping down, and he would nominate Air Force Lieutenant General Dan Caine as a replacement.
Pentagon ordered to plan for 8 per cent annual defence budget cuts over next 5 years
Washington DC, February 20: Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has instructed top Pentagon and US military officials to prepare plans to reduce the defence budget by 8 per cent annually over the next five years, according to a memo obtained by The Washington Post.
Rajnath Singh, US counterpart Hegseth agree on enhanced defence cooperation to deter aggression in Indo-Pacific
Washington DC, February 7: US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held an introductory call on Thursday to reaffirm their commitment to the US-India Major Defence Partnership.
Four killed as US military plane crashes in Philippines
Manila (Philippines), Feb 7: A small plane contracted by the US Defence Department crashed in the southern Philippines on Thursday, killing all four people on board, including one US service member, the US Indo-Pacific Command said.