If you've been scrolling through your news feed lately and wondering about the state of the Pentagon, you're not alone. The question of whether Pete Hegseth is still Secretary of Defense has been a hot topic as we move through early 2026.
Honestly, the short answer is yes. But there is a twist that caught a lot of people off guard.
The Secretary of War?
As of January 16, 2026, Pete Hegseth remains the head of the nation's military, though you might start seeing a different title on official letterheads. On September 5, 2025, a major shift occurred when the Department of Defense essentially reverted to its historical roots. Under an executive order, the title "Secretary of Defense" was supplemented with—and in many circles replaced by—Secretary of War.
It sounds like something out of a history book, right? Well, that's kinda the point. The administration pushed for this change to signal a shift toward a more aggressive, "lethal" military posture. While legal scholars argue that only Congress can permanently change the department's name, Hegseth is currently operating under both titles.
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A Chaotic Road to the Pentagon
To understand why people keep asking if he's still there, you have to remember how he got the job. It wasn't exactly a smooth ride. Hegseth was sworn in as the 29th Secretary of Defense on January 25, 2025.
The confirmation was a nail-biter. Imagine the tension in the room: a 50-50 tie in the Senate. It was only broken when Vice President JD Vance stepped in to cast the deciding vote. It was one of those rare moments in D.C. where everything came down to a single person.
He faced a wall of opposition. Why?
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- Allegations of past misconduct.
- Concerns over his views on women in combat.
- His background as a Fox News host rather than a traditional "Pentagon insider."
But he survived it. He’s been in the seat for about a year now, and despite the constant rumors of "who's in and who's out" in Washington, he hasn't budged.
What has he actually been doing?
Lately, Hegseth has been busy on the international stage. Just yesterday, on January 15, 2026, he was at the Pentagon—or the "War Office" as some are calling it now—meeting with the Japanese Defense Minister, Shinjirō Koizumi.
They weren't just sitting in stuffy offices, though. In a move that’s very on-brand for Hegseth’s "warrior culture" push, he and Koizumi actually did a physical training (PT) session with "The Old Guard" at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall. It's a bit of a departure from the usual suit-and-tie diplomacy we're used to seeing.
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The 2026 Budget Battle
The reason you might be seeing his name in the headlines again is the looming January 30 budget deadline. Congress is currently racing to pass the 2026 defense appropriations bill. Hegseth has been pushing for a massive $1.5 trillion budget.
He’s basically told lawmakers that if they want a military that can deter China and Iran, they need to cut the "bureaucratic fat" and put that money into:
- Massive Drone Swarms: A total pivot toward uncrewed systems.
- AI Integration: Speeding up how the military uses artificial intelligence in the field.
- Lethality over Diversity: He’s been very vocal about dismantling DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) programs, which has made him a lightning rod for critics but a hero to his base.
The Verdict on His Status
Is he still in? Absolutely. Is he safe? In D.C., "safe" is a relative term. But for now, Hegseth is firmly at the helm. He’s survived the confirmation firestorm, rebranded his own title, and is currently the face of a massive military modernization effort.
If you’re tracking this for your own knowledge or just trying to win a bar bet, here’s the reality: Pete Hegseth is the 29th Secretary of Defense (and the current Secretary of War). He's currently navigating a $1.5 trillion budget negotiation and showing no signs of stepping down.
Your next steps for staying informed:
- Monitor the January 30, 2026, Congressional deadline to see if his proposed $1.5 trillion budget gets approved or slashed.
- Watch for official "Department of War" rebranding on federal websites, as this remains a point of legal contention in the courts.
- Follow the updates on the U.S.-Japan alliance changes, as Hegseth is currently restructuring how U.S. Forces Japan (USFJ) operates.