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Pete Hegseth, a Fox News host and Army combat veteran, has been nominated by Donald Trump to serve as his 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.” Hegseth co-hosts _Fox & Friends Weekend_ and joined the network as a contributor in 2014. He last co-hosted the show on Sunday, and his deal

with the network ended today, according to Fox News. Fox News said in a statement: “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. 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.” WATCH ON DEADLINE Hegseth is the latest Fox News figure to land a spot in Trump’s new

administration. On Monday, Trump tapped Tom Homan, a network contributor, as his border czar. In Trump’s last term, he selected Fox News figures such as Larry Kudlow and Bill Shine for top

posts. Others, like Kayleigh McEnany, got jobs on the network after leaving the White House. Hegseth, though, if the first Fox News figure to land a role in Trump’s Cabinet. RELATED: DONALD

TRUMP EXPECTED TO NOMINATE MARCO RUBIO AS SECRETARY OF STATE On Fox News, Laura Ingraham broke the news to viewers and said: “Wow, that is pretty cool. Gosh, we’re going to miss him at Fox,

but that is a gain for the country.” Hegseth did tours in Guantanamo Bay, Iraq and Afghanistan and was the recipient of two Bronze Stars and a Combat Infantryman’s Badge. In his statement,

Trump also cited Hegseth’s book, _The War on Warriors._ Trump’s announcement drew surprised reactions. Paul Rieckhoff, founder of Independent Veterans of America, wrote on X, “I first met

Hegseth when he started running Vets for Freedom around 2007. He is a highly effective and ferocious media, culture and political warrior for MAGA. And beyond loyal to and trusted by Trump.

I figured Trump would pick probably pick him for Chief of Staff or Press Secretary. But this… Hegseth is undoubtedly the least qualified nominee for SecDef in American history. And the most

overtly political. Brace yourself, America.” Others posted some of Hegseth’s past advertisements for a brand of soap — One Man Army — including a product shaped like a grenade. Before Fox

News, Hegseth unsuccessfully ran for the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate in Minnesota.