Story perspectives

Trump Praises Hegseth, Who Pushes Pardons and DEI Rollback

7/17/2026

Summary

Story summary

President Donald Trump praised Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at the Defense and Innovation Summit in Carlisle.
Hegseth, a Fox News presenter, lobbied Trump for pardons of Edward Gallagher, Matthew Golsteyn and Clint Lorance, all charged with civilian deaths.
As Defense Secretary, Hegseth has ended diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs, tightened grooming rules and promoted a warfighting mindset.
Hegseth held daily Iran-conflict briefings, confronting journalists he called hostile or unpatriotic.

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Story summary

President Donald Trump praised Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at the Defense and Innovation Summit in Carlisle.
Hegseth, a Fox News presenter, lobbied Trump for pardons of Edward Gallagher, Matthew Golsteyn and Clint Lorance, all charged with civilian deaths.
As Defense Secretary, Hegseth has ended diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs, tightened grooming rules and promoted a warfighting mindset.
Hegseth held daily Iran-conflict briefings, confronting journalists he called hostile or unpatriotic.