President-elect Donald Trump announced on Tuesday night that he has selected Army veteran and Fox News personality Pete Hegseth to be his Secretary of Defense.

“I am honored to announce that I have nominated Pete Hegseth to serve in my Cabinet as The Secretary of Defense,” Trump said in a statement. “Pete has spent his entire life as a Warrior for the Troops, and for the Country. 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,” he continued.

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Hegseth is an Army combat veteran who did tours in Guantanamo Bay, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

Trump noted that Hegseth believes in “peace through strength” and said that he “will be a courageous and patriotic champion” for the U.S. military.

Hegseth is a graduate of Princeton University and has a graduate degree from Harvard University. He has also authored several books, including: “The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free” and “Modern Warriors: Real Stories from Real Heroes.”

“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,” Fox News said in a statement.

“His insights and analysis especially about the military resonated deeply with our viewers and made the program the major success that it is today,” the network continued. “We are extremely proud of his work at FOX News Media and wish him the best of luck in Washington.”

Congratulations to my friend and colleague Pete Hegseth. You have served this great nation’s military and you are a wonderful father, husband to Jen and more… with you we win! pic.twitter.com/JIF1xZ3GTG

— HARRISFAULKNER (@HARRISFAULKNER) November 13, 2024