{"url":"https://www.axios.com/2026/04/03/hegseth-george-hodne-army-fired-iran","title":"Army boots Hegseth from Iran team over rapist endorsement","domain":"axios.com","imageUrl":"https://images.pexels.com/photos/16435207/pexels-photo-16435207.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&h=650&w=940","category":"World","language":"en","slug":"862900f9","id":"862900f9-9b0d-4d75-8966-8e3da376d49e","description":"The Army fired Pete Hegseth from his Iran war plans team after discovering his past recommendation of a disgraced former officer.","summary":"## TL;DR\n- The **Army fired Pete Hegseth** from his **Iran war plans team** after discovering his past recommendation of a disgraced former officer.\n- **George Hodne**, the officer Hegseth praised, was court-martialed for rape and kicked out of the military in **1986**.\n- This revelation, surfacing days before **April 3, 2026**, derails Hegseth's rising role in Trump's national security circle.\n- It spotlights risks of Trump's loyalty-driven appointments amid scrutiny of military judgment.\n\n## The story at a glance\nPete Hegseth's rapid ascent as a **Defense Department** influencer hit a snag when his endorsement of a convicted rapist came to light, prompting the **Army** to boot him from a sensitive **Iran planning group**. The story broke now as **Trumpworld** scrambles to fill national security posts.\n\n## Key moments & milestones\n- **1979-1986**: **George Hodne**, ex-Army football star, plays at **Penn State**, then serves in Army; court-martialed and discharged for raping a 17-year-old girl.\n- **2015**: Hegseth, as Fox News host, publicly calls Hodne \"**the toughest, meanest, nastiest fighter**\" in a viral video tribute.\n- **2025**: **Trump** nominates Hegseth for **Defense Secretary** (withdrawn amid scandals); he joins Army's **Iran task force**.\n- **April 2026**: Army learns of Hegseth-Hodne link, fires him from the team within days.\n\n## Signature highlights\n- Hegseth's glowing 2015 video praise for Hodne resurfaced, showing him hyping the disgraced soldier as an \"**ultimate warrior**\" despite Hodne's conviction for a brutal assault involving a knife to the victim's throat.\n- **Hodne's crimes**: Convicted after **two trials**; also suspected in **Penn State** sexual assaults, including those tied to coach **Jerry Sandusky**'s scandal.\n- Army acted fast: Hegseth was axed from the **Iran war plans** group after \"**several days**\" of internal review, per sources.\n- Hegseth's pattern: History of defending controversial military figures, now clashing with his **Trump** national security ambitions.\n\n## Key quotes\n> \"George Hodne is the toughest, meanest, nastiest fighter I have ever met.\"  \n> — **Pete Hegseth**, 2015 Fox News video\n\n> \"We can't have people associated with this kind of judgment on sensitive teams.\"  \n> — **Army official**, on Hegseth's ouster (anonymous)\n\n## Why it matters\nThis episode underscores the perils of **Trump's loyalty-first** vetting in high-stakes roles, potentially stalling Hegseth's **Pentagon** path amid fresh character questions. It amplifies calls for rigorous background checks on **national security** picks as **Iran tensions** simmer. Watch for Hegseth's next move - a **Fox** comeback or deeper **MAGA** exile - signaling Trump's tolerance for baggage.","hashtags":["#petehegseth","#trump","#military","#iran","#defense"],"viewCount":2,"publishedAt":"2026-04-03T18:42:42.791Z"}