Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Has Not Appeared on Fox News for 11 Months

Fox News White House correspondent Peter Doocy aired an interview with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on October 5, 2025, during The Sunday Briefing. This interview was conducted the previous day at the Navy-Air Force football game. Hegseth, who was appointed by President Donald Trump, has not returned to Fox News since that date. Over the past 11 months, the U.S. military has been involved in various operations, including a conflict with Iran and actions against drug cartels, while Hegseth faced criticism for changes within the military's leadership. Hegseth's absence from Fox is notable, as he had previously been a regular guest, with the October interview marking his 24th since taking office on January 25, 2025. Despite his lack of appearances on Fox, Hegseth has participated in interviews with CBS News in January and June. The reason for his absence from Fox News remains unclear, but it follows the network's condemnation of Hegseth's new restrictions on Pentagon reporters. During the interview, Hegseth criticized leaks from the Pentagon and described journalists who solicit such information as 'disgusting.' He introduced new press restrictions requiring credentialed journalists to sign a pledge not to report unauthorized information. Hegseth stated, 'We're setting clear rules at the Pentagon,' and emphasized the need for journalists to follow these rules. Following Hegseth's interview, the Pentagon Press Association's negotiations over the restrictions were unsuccessful, leading Fox and other major news organizations to refuse to comply with the new access rules. On October 14, 2025, several news organizations, including Fox, issued a joint statement opposing the restrictions, stating that they threaten journalistic protections and hinder the ability to inform the public about national security issues. Bret Baier, Fox's chief political anchor, read the statement on air, while retired General Jack Keane criticized the Pentagon's motives for the restrictions, asserting that they undermine the principles of journalism.