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President-elect Donald Trump made the surprising announcement that he's selected FOX News anchor Pete Hegseth to be his secretary of defense for his upcoming administration.
“Pete has spent his entire life as a Warrior for the Troops, and for the Country,” Trump said in a statement obtained by the New York Post. “Pete is tough, smart and a true believer in America First. With Pete at the helm, America’s enemies are on notice – Our Military will be Great Again, and America will Never Back Down.”
Hegseth, 44, who has contributed to FOX News since 2014, most recently working as the co-host of FOX & Friends Weekend, joined the Army National Guard in 2003, which included serving in the Iraq War and the War in Afghanistan, receiving two Bronze Stars, two Army Commendation Medals, the National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Expert Infantryman Badge and Combat Infantryman Badge.
“Pete Hegseth has been an exceptional host on FOX & Friends and FOX Nation and a best-selling author for FOX News Books for nearly a decade,” a FOX News spokesperson said in a statement obtained by the New York Post. “His insights and analysis especially about the military resonated deeply with our viewers and made the program the major success that it is today. We are extremely proud of his work at FOX News and wish him the best of luck in Washington.”
Hegseth was reportedly considered for the position of Veterans Affairs secretary, which was ultimately given to David Shulkin, during Trump's first administration. Several other reported contenders for the secretary of defense role included Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) and former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard.