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 Hegseths 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.
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446 Comments
Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2026/06/05/hegseth-takes-six-his-kids-france-official-trip/
Haggard Celine
(17,948 posts)Callie1979
(1,452 posts)RetiredParatrooper
(257 posts)In a certain country in Central Europe last century.
Callie1979
(1,452 posts)Alice B.
(747 posts)Good lord.
Second thought is just me remembering a kinder, gentler time when something like this would tank a career.
BaronChocula
(4,863 posts)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.
tanyev
(49,806 posts)RamblingRose
(1,165 posts)Earth Bound Misfit
(3,594 posts)...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.
lonely bird
(3,071 posts)Another religionist who couldnt stay married to his wife?
Texin
(2,873 posts)GenThePerservering
(3,858 posts)or to lose a few pounds - his suit doesn't fit.
TexasBushwhacker
(21,321 posts)Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin
(138,056 posts)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.