Story perspectives

Defense Secretary Hegseth's Popularity Plummets Amid War

3/20/2026

Summary

Story summary

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faces unpopularity, with a net approval of -15 overall and -28 among independents.
Cable News Network (CNN) analyst Harry Enten says he is surprised by these figures, noting defense secretaries typically gain popularity during wartime.
Former Defense Secretaries Cheney and Rumsfeld posted +62 and +58 after Gulf and Iraq Wars.
Hegseth’s -17 net popularity came weeks into U.S. President Donald Trump's war against Iran, not due to Trump’s ratings.

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Story summary

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faces unpopularity, with a net approval of -15 overall and -28 among independents.
Cable News Network (CNN) analyst Harry Enten says he is surprised by these figures, noting defense secretaries typically gain popularity during wartime.
Former Defense Secretaries Cheney and Rumsfeld posted +62 and +58 after Gulf and Iraq Wars.
Hegseth’s -17 net popularity came weeks into U.S. President Donald Trump's war against Iran, not due to Trump’s ratings.