Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

mahatmakanejeeves

(71,190 posts)
Sat Jun 6, 2026, 05:15 AM 14 hrs ago

Hegseth takes six of his children to France on official trip

Source: Washington Post

Hegseth takes six of his children to France on official trip

The Pentagon says he is covering their travel expenses, but bringing them along could strain his security team at a time of increased threats, officials warned.

June 5, 2026 at 6:56 p.m. EDTYesterday at 6:56 p.m. EDT
5 min


Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Dec. 17 at Joint Base Andrews. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

By Tara Copp
https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/tara-copp/

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s decision to bring six of his children on an official trip to France that began Friday is putting added strain on his personal protective detail amid heightened threats stemming from the Iran war, one current and two former employees of the agency responsible for his security said.

{snip}

446 Comments

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2026/06/05/hegseth-takes-six-his-kids-france-official-trip/

14 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Hegseth takes six of his children to France on official trip (Original Post) mahatmakanejeeves 14 hrs ago OP
I really wish they wouldn't breed, at least not so much. Haggard Celine 14 hrs ago #1
Thats why the Cult is pushing now; step up your reproduction NOW. "Pronatism" Callie1979 10 hrs ago #6
Smacks of the Lebensborn program RetiredParatrooper 5 hrs ago #13
Yep! Callie1979 4 hrs ago #14
First thought: "six *of* his children?" Alice B. 12 hrs ago #2
Hegspawn BaronChocula 6 hrs ago #10
How many does he have?? tanyev 11 hrs ago #3
All from only one marriage I'm sure. Family Values RamblingRose 11 hrs ago #4
Pete Kegsbreath... Earth Bound Misfit 10 hrs ago #5
Sigh lonely bird 10 hrs ago #7
"...six of his children..." Good lord, how many children does this guy have (and with how many wives)? Texin 7 hrs ago #8
He needs a better tailor GenThePerservering 6 hrs ago #9
Alcohol gives you a big belly n/t TexasBushwhacker 6 hrs ago #12
Hegseth marks D-Day in France with sharp words for Europe on migration and defense spending Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin 6 hrs ago #11

Alice B.

(747 posts)
2. First thought: "six *of* his children?"
Sat Jun 6, 2026, 07:25 AM
12 hrs ago

Good lord.

Second thought is just me remembering a kinder, gentler time when something like this would tank a career.

BaronChocula

(4,863 posts)
10. Hegspawn
Sat Jun 6, 2026, 01:37 PM
6 hrs ago

I hope they grow up to hate their father.

There was actually a time when being a drunk was disqualifying for that role. It tanked the GHWB's nomination of John Tower for Defense. Senators usually support former colleagues in nominations, so that was really a big deal. Now, being a drunken tv host ain't no big thing.

Earth Bound Misfit

(3,594 posts)
5. Pete Kegsbreath...
Sat Jun 6, 2026, 09:14 AM
10 hrs ago

...has a blended family of seven children - four biological children from two marriages - three sons with his ex-wife Samantha Deering and one daughter with his current wife Jennifer Rauchet - as well as three stepchildren from his current wife's previous marriage.

Texin

(2,873 posts)
8. "...six of his children..." Good lord, how many children does this guy have (and with how many wives)?
Sat Jun 6, 2026, 12:02 PM
7 hrs ago

Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin

(138,056 posts)
11. Hegseth marks D-Day in France with sharp words for Europe on migration and defense spending
Sat Jun 6, 2026, 01:42 PM
6 hrs ago

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth marked the 82nd anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy, France, on Saturday by accusing Western European capitals of letting an "invasion" of migrants reach their shores and warning that the U.S. expects more from its allies.

Speaking at the American memorial honoring the U.S. service members who took part in the 1944 invasion that helped turn the tide of World War II, Hegseth said the alliance that won the war was built on each country pulling its weight and contrasted that with what he called the complacency of "much of the West" today.

"Each nation pulled its weight, each nation bled," Hegseth said. "America will lead, and we must, but capable allies must be right there with us, shoulder to shoulder in the breach when it matters."

NATO leaders agreed at last year's summit in the Hague to raise core defense spending to 3.5% of GDP by 2035, with another 1.5% going to security-related areas like infrastructure and cyber defense. The Trump administration has pushed both European and Asian allies to meet that target faster.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/article/hegseth-marks-d-day-in-france-with-sharp-words-for-europe-on-migration-and-defense-spending-145310300.html

Like a typical Trumper he can't help but stink up the place.

Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»Hegseth takes six of his ...