The influence of a new adviser at the Pentagon has rapidly grown
Unprecedented changes are taking place at the U.S. Department of Defense. A new advisor has become one of the most influential people at the Pentagon and has gained significant influence over a number of processes within the U.S. Department of Defense.
For many years, Jennifer served as her husband’s producer at Fox News while he was building his career in television.
"Now, seven years after they got married, she is his most influential advisor and de facto producer at the Pentagon. Jennifer prepared him for appearances, attended his meetings with journalists, interviewed potential members of his staff, and discussed ideas for Department of Defense videos in which he—and sometimes she—appears,” the publication writes.
Moreover, in August 2026, Hagseth’s wife took on a new role—she became the head of the U.S. President’s Commission on Military Personnel.
According to journalists, this is an unpaid position in which she will work to improve the lives of military families.
The media notes that Jennifer Hegset stood behind President Donald Trump in the Oval Office when he announced this initiative.
It is also interesting to note that in 2025, she participated in a very sensitive meeting with her husband and high-ranking officials from the British Ministry of Defense after the United States temporarily suspended the exchange of military intelligence with Ukraine.
“The British spoke in general terms,” an official said, “because Ms. Hagseth’s presence made them uneasy. Later, they held a small meeting without her to discuss the details,” the NYT reports.
According to media reports, Jennifer Hagseth’s involvement in the operations of the U.S. Department of Defense is so unusual that it has already raised questions about the department head’s leadership within his own agency.
“It’s insane that the defense secretary involves his wife in carrying out his sensitive official duties—including disclosing details of an upcoming military operation—and faces no consequences,” said John Ullio, who resigned as the Pentagon’s chief spokesperson after three months under Hegset’s leadership.
This was reported with reference to The New York Times.
The Pentagon has agreed to increase production of SM-3 missiles.
The Pentagon has given defense contractors 21 days to submit plans for increasing weapons production.
U.S. President Donald Trump has so far been unable to secure a military victory in the war with Iran and has repeatedly backed away from threats of large-scale strikes, citing the possibility of resuming negotiations. The Guardian reports this, citing critics and experts who call such tactics inconsistent.
Despite large-scale U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, its nuclear program has likely not been completely destroyed. According to The New York Times, Tehran may have retained stockpiles of highly enriched uranium that would potentially be sufficient to quickly produce up to ten nuclear warheads.
