If you’re trying to keep up with who’s actually running the show at the Pentagon, you aren't alone. It’s been a wild ride lately. Between administrative rebranding and a historic Senate confirmation, the seat of the Secretary of Defense of the United States is occupied by a face that many recognize from their TV screens rather than the traditional halls of the four-star generals.
Right now, Pete Hegseth is the man in charge. He was sworn in on January 25, 2025, after a nail-biting 50-50 tie in the Senate that required Vice President JD Vance to step in and break the deadlock. It was only the second time in the history of this country that a Cabinet member’s fate was decided by a VP’s tie-breaker.
But wait, there’s a twist you might have missed if you haven't checked the letterhead recently. On September 5, 2025, the Department of Defense officially reverted to its historical name: the Department of War. So, while everyone still searches for the "Secretary of Defense," Hegseth’s official title has technically shifted to Secretary of War.
The Road to the Pentagon (or the War Department)
Hegseth’s path wasn't exactly the standard "climb the ladder" story. He didn't spend thirty years in the Pentagon as a bureaucrat. Instead, he’s a former Army National Guard officer with two Bronze Stars under his belt and tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Honestly, the transition from Fox News host to the civilian leader of the world's most powerful military was always going to be loud. He basically walked into the job with a mandate from President Trump to "bring back the warrior culture."
Since taking over, he’s been obsessed with "lethality" and "meritocracy." He’s famously argued that the US military has too many four-star generals—44 to be exact—compared to the seven we had during World War II. He wants to cut the fat at the top and put that money back into the hands of the "warfighters."
🔗 Read more: Nate Silver Trump Approval Rating: Why the 2026 Numbers Look So Different
Why the Appointment Was So Controversial
You've probably heard the headlines. The confirmation process was a mess. There were allegations of excessive drinking, financial mismanagement, and a 2017 sexual assault investigation where no charges were filed but a settlement was paid.
Democrats—and even a few Republicans like Mitt Romney and Susan Collins—were skeptical. They worried about his lack of experience managing a massive, multi-billion dollar bureaucracy.
But Hegseth has leaned into the "disruptor" role. He views his lack of deep-seated Pentagon ties as a feature, not a bug. He’s been moving fast to reshape the military’s stance on everything from AI-driven drones to how the military handles its own retired officers.
The Mark Kelly Lawsuit: A New Legal Battleground
If you think things settled down after the swearing-in, think again. Just this week, in mid-January 2026, Senator Mark Kelly—a retired Navy captain and former astronaut—filed a massive lawsuit against Hegseth.
Why? Because Hegseth issued a formal Secretarial Letter of Censure against Kelly.
💡 You might also like: Weather Forecast Lockport NY: Why Today’s Snow Isn’t Just Hype
It all started over a video where Kelly warned service members to refuse "unlawful orders." The administration called it seditious. Hegseth didn't just stop at a letter; the Department is actually trying to reduce Kelly’s retired military rank and pension.
This is a huge deal. It’s testing whether a Secretary can use military law to punish a civilian senator for political speech made years after they retired. It’s the kind of high-stakes legal drama that defines Hegseth’s tenure so far: aggressive, controversial, and focused on absolute loyalty to the Commander-in-Chief.
What Hegseth Is Doing Right Now
Hegseth is currently on what he calls the "Arsenal of Freedom" tour. Just a few days ago, on January 12, he was in Fort Worth, Texas, visiting a Lockheed Martin facility. He’s pushing for a massive increase in manufacturing and "rapid innovation."
Here is what his "Warrior Ethos" looks like in practice:
- Cutting Bureaucracy: He is actively looking to trim civilian staff and reduce the number of high-ranking officers.
- Tech Overhaul: There’s a massive push for GenAI.mil, a secure platform meant to give soldiers a warfighting edge.
- Border Security: He’s overseen the implementation of executive orders using military resources to bolster the U.S.-Mexico border.
- Cash Incentives: In a move that surprised many, he recently directed $25,000 bonuses for high-performing civilian employees to keep talent from jumping to the private sector.
A Quick Look at the Chain of Command
While Hegseth is the face of the department, he isn't working alone.
📖 Related: Economics Related News Articles: What the 2026 Headlines Actually Mean for Your Wallet
- Steve Feinberg: The Deputy Secretary. He’s the guy often tasked with the day-to-day grind of the budget and operations.
- General Dan Caine: The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He’s the top military advisor, bridging the gap between the uniformed services and Hegseth’s civilian leadership.
- The Service Secretaries: People like Navy Secretary John Phelan, who are currently caught in the middle of the Mark Kelly legal firestorm.
The "Secretary of War" Name Change
Most people are still getting used to calling it the "Department of War." It sounds sort of... old-fashioned, right? But the administration argues it’s about clarity of mission. The "Defense" label was seen by some in the current circle as a euphemism that softened the reality of what the military does.
By changing the name back to War, Hegseth and Trump are signaling a shift away from "nation-building" and toward "war-winning." It’s a subtle linguistic shift with massive cultural implications inside the Pentagon.
Actionable Insights for Staying Informed
The role of the Secretary of Defense—or War—is shifting faster than the news cycle can usually handle. If you want to keep tabs on how this affects you or the country, here’s what you should do:
- Watch the Kelly Lawsuit: This case will determine if the Pentagon has the power to reach back into your civilian life if you’re a veteran. It’s a landmark First Amendment case.
- Track the "Lethality" Metrics: Hegseth has promised to publish more data on military readiness. Check the official War.gov site for the new "Readiness Dashboard" they’ve been teasing.
- Monitor the Name Rebranding: Many federal forms and legal documents are still being updated. If you’re a contractor or veteran, ensure your paperwork reflects the Department of War nomenclature to avoid administrative delays.
- AI Integration: Keep an eye on the "Replicator" initiative. Hegseth is doubling down on thousands of cheap, autonomous drones. This is where the budget is moving.
Hegseth is only a year into the job, but he’s already fundamentally changed how the building operates. Whether you love the "warrior culture" or think it’s a dangerous politicization of the military, there's no denying that the current Secretary of Defense of the United States is the most consequential—and disruptive—leader the Pentagon has seen in decades.