In March 2018, then-President Donald Trump was meeting with Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Dr. David Shulkin to discuss how to improve health care for America’s veterans. But it wasn’t Shulkin’s opinion Trump truly cared about—it was that of Pete Hegseth, a Fox News personality at the time.
Hegseth’s views on veterans’ health care stood out: he strongly believed that veterans should have more freedom to use private health care instead of the VA, even if that meant limiting veterans’ benefits under the current system.
Now, as Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense, Hegseth’s past actions and opinions are getting a closer look. While his chances of confirmation seem to be fading, understanding where he stands on these issues is crucial, since anyone leading the Pentagon also affects the health care provided to millions of service members, retirees, and their families.
Why Health Care at the Pentagon Matters?
The Secretary of Defense oversees more than just the nation’s military forces; they also guide the Military Health System (MHS). The MHS serves over 9.5 million people, including active-duty service members, retirees, and their families.
Its mission is to ensure these individuals have reliable access to quality care, often directly through military doctors and nurses. The Department of Defense (DOD) invests $61 billion each year to run this system.
Under a leader who favors more private care, that money might shift away from improving military hospitals and clinics and toward private insurance coverage—which has not always met service members’ needs, especially in rural areas.
Also Read
Hegseth’s Role in Veterans’ Health Care Policy Under Trump
During the first Trump administration, Hegseth was a White House advisor who influenced VA policy. He pushed hard for more “outsourcing” of veterans’ care to private health care providers.
The VA’s top official at the time, Dr. David Shulkin—a seasoned hospital administrator—resisted these changes. Shulkin felt this approach wouldn’t fix real problems and could even harm the VA system.
Shulkin was eventually fired in 2018. He later wrote in his memoir, It Shouldn’t Be This Hard to Serve Your Country, that Hegseth, who knew little about running a major health care system, played a key role in his dismissal.
According to Shulkin, Hegseth promoted big ideas without considering the everyday financial and clinical realities behind them.
Hegseth served in the military as a midgrade officer and earned two Ivy League degrees and Bronze Star medals. He gained fame as a conservative commentator, writing for campus publications and later becoming a Fox News host specializing in military and veterans’ affairs.
In any typical Republican administration, his résumé might fit a role as a press secretary for the Pentagon. But becoming Secretary of Defense involves managing a $920 billion budget and leading a workforce of three million personnel—far beyond what his previous roles have prepared him for.
Hegseth also led an organization called Concerned Veterans for America (CVA), backed by the Koch brothers.
CVA pushes for privatization of the VA’s health care services, a position largely at odds with traditional veterans’ groups like the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, and Disabled American Veterans. These established groups have a long history of helping veterans get the benefits they’ve earned, including recent gains like the PACT Act of 2022, which expanded coverage for veterans exposed to toxic burn pits.
Hegseth’s nomination, along with Trump’s possible pick for VA secretary, Doug Collins, signals a desire to steer America’s military and veteran health care toward more private options.
Advocates of this approach say it gives veterans more “choice” over where and how they get care, but critics argue it will undermine the strong network of VA services that specialize in treating unique military-related conditions.
Shulkin warned Hegseth that such policies would cost billions more, potentially “bankrupting the system” and hurting veterans in the long run. Veterans’ advocates fear that pushing too hard for private care will chip away at essential services and support systems carefully built up over decades.
Hegseth’s Stance on Veterans’ Benefits
In interviews, Hegseth has made it clear that he thinks veterans should not feel entitled to every possible government benefit. He argues that while the government should step in to help veterans with serious mental or physical issues from their service, other veterans should be encouraged to carry on without relying heavily on government programs.
Many veterans and their supporters strongly disagree, believing that veterans have earned their benefits through their service and sacrifice and that the government must keep its promises to those who have served.
If Hegseth were confirmed as Secretary of Defense, he would have a powerful role in shaping the future of the MHS and influencing how our country takes care of veterans and active-duty personnel. A shift toward more private care could mean fewer resources for existing military hospitals and clinics, making it harder for those who rely on these services.
While Hegseth’s confirmation seems uncertain—Trump is reportedly reconsidering his choice—understanding his positions helps shed light on the ongoing debate about how to best serve our nation’s veterans and active-duty military members. Many worry that the policies he supports would move us closer to a fragmented, more expensive system that serves fewer people well, rather than improving the systems we already have in place.
Pete Hegseth: A Controversial Nominee for Secretary of Defense
Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News host and President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense, is facing significant scrutiny due to past allegations and controversial viewpoints.
Reports have surfaced accusing Hegseth of excessive drinking and sexual misconduct during his tenure at nonprofit advocacy groups, leading to his forced resignation from these positions. Additionally, his outspoken views on Islam and diversity have raised concerns among lawmakers and military officials.
These issues have prompted some Republican senators to question his suitability for the Defense Secretary role, with Senator Joni Ernst emphasizing the necessity for thorough vetting.
Amidst these controversies, Hegseth’s personal life has also attracted attention. He is married to Jennifer Rauchet, an executive producer at Fox Nation since 2006.
Their relationship began while both were employed at Fox News, leading to their marriage in 2019. Rauchet, who has three children from a previous marriage, shares a daughter with Hegseth, born in 2017. The couple’s relationship, which started as an extramarital affair, has been a focal point in discussions about Hegseth’s personal conduct.
The combination of professional controversies and personal indiscretions presents a complex challenge for Hegseth’s nomination. While President-elect Trump continues to support him, the mounting allegations and ethical concerns have led to increased scrutiny from both the public and political figures. The outcome of Hegseth’s nomination remains uncertain as the vetting process intensifies.
