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Army boots Hegseth from Iran team over rapist endorsement

Source: axios.com

TL;DR

The Army fired Pete Hegseth from his Iran war plans team after discovering his past recommendation of a disgraced former officer.
George Hodne, the officer Hegseth praised, was court-martialed for rape and kicked out of the military in 1986.
This revelation, surfacing days before April 3, 2026, derails Hegseth's rising role in Trump's national security circle.
It spotlights risks of Trump's loyalty-driven appointments amid scrutiny of military judgment.

The story at a glance

Pete 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.

Key moments & milestones

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.
2015: Hegseth, as Fox News host, publicly calls Hodne "the toughest, meanest, nastiest fighter" in a viral video tribute.
2025: Trump nominates Hegseth for Defense Secretary (withdrawn amid scandals); he joins Army's Iran task force.
April 2026: Army learns of Hegseth-Hodne link, fires him from the team within days.

Signature highlights

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.
Hodne's crimes: Convicted after two trials; also suspected in Penn State sexual assaults, including those tied to coach Jerry Sandusky's scandal.
Army acted fast: Hegseth was axed from the Iran war plans group after "several days" of internal review, per sources.
Hegseth's pattern: History of defending controversial military figures, now clashing with his Trump national security ambitions.

Key quotes

"George Hodne is the toughest, meanest, nastiest fighter I have ever met."

— Pete Hegseth, 2015 Fox News video

"We can't have people associated with this kind of judgment on sensitive teams."

— Army official, on Hegseth's ouster (anonymous)

Why it matters

This 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.