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Pentagon Staffers Criticize Jennifer Hegseth’s Unofficial Influence

By Drooid · Sep 18, 2026, 12:08 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is criticized for his wife Jennifer Hegseth’s unofficial Pentagon influence.
Pentagon insiders say the situation creates a mess that demoralizes staff, an Army officer reports.
Staffers call Jennifer Hegseth “Yoko Ono” because they see her as a fiercely protective spouse.
She attended her husband’s foreign defense meetings, taking notes and photos.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell defended Jennifer Hegseth as an accomplished leader and vital asset.

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Story summary

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is criticized for his wife Jennifer Hegseth’s unofficial Pentagon influence.
Pentagon insiders say the situation creates a mess that demoralizes staff, an Army officer reports.
Staffers call Jennifer Hegseth “Yoko Ono” because they see her as a fiercely protective spouse.
She attended her husband’s foreign defense meetings, taking notes and photos.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell defended Jennifer Hegseth as an accomplished leader and vital asset.