Trump nominates FOX News host, Army veteran Pete Hegseth for defense secretary

Trump picks Pete Hegseth for Defense Secretary

President-elect Donald Trump has nominated FOX News host and Army veteran Pete Hegseth to serve as his defense secretary. Hegseth is a co-host on FOX News’ "Fox & Friends Weekend" show and is a former Army veteran. Hegseth and President-elect Trump reportedly became friendly after Trump appeared on the show a few times.

President-elect Donald Trump has nominated FOX News host and Army veteran Pete Hegseth to serve as his defense secretary on Tuesday.

Trump has announced a flurry of nominations since his presidential win, working at a far faster pace and without much drama since his first transition following his 2016 victory.

A spokesperson for Fox News released the following 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."

Fox anchor Pete Hegseth interviews entrepreneur and venture capitalist Peter Thiel during "FOX & Friends" at Fox News Channel Studios on August 09, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by John Lamparski/Getty Images)

Who is Pete Hegseth?

Hegseth, 44, is the co-host on "FOX & Friends Weekend" and has been a contributor to the network since 2014.

Hegseth developed a friendship with Trump after the president-elect made regular appearances on the show.

Hegseth has also authored a book titled "The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free."

He was an infantry captain in the Army National Guard and served overseas in Afghanistan, Iraq and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. He was formerly head of the Concerned Veterans for America, a group backed by conservative billionaires Charles and David Koch, and he unsuccessfully ran for the Senate in Minnesota in 2012.

Trump nominates Pete Hegseth as Defense Secretary

Pete Hegseth has been selected by President-elect Trump to serve as his secretary of defense. "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," Trump said in a statement. LiveNOW's Andy Mac spoke about Hegseth's nomination with former intelligence officer Matthew Shoemaker.