Fox News host and former Pentagon official Pete Hegseth is facing a formal investigation by the US Department of Defense over his undisclosed trip to North Korea in 2023, The Independent can reveal.
The controversial television personality, who previously served as a senior official in the Pentagon, joined a congressional delegation visiting the reclusive communist state without obtaining proper authorisation from defence officials.
Security Clearance Breach
According to documents obtained by The Independent, the Pentagon's Office of the Inspector General has launched a formal probe into whether Hegseth violated security protocols by failing to seek permission for the sensitive diplomatic mission.
The investigation centres on potential breaches of the rules governing former senior defence officials with ongoing security clearances. Hegseth's visit to one of America's most prominent adversary states has raised alarm bells within defence circles.
Congressional Delegation Controversy
The trip occurred in September 2023 when Hegseth accompanied Republican Congressman Jack Bergman on an official visit to Pyongyang. The delegation met with senior North Korean officials during a period of heightened tensions on the Korean peninsula.
What makes this situation particularly concerning is that Hegseth reportedly travelled using his official Pentagon identification rather than his media credentials, despite now being primarily known as a television personality.
Pattern of Concerning Behaviour
This isn't the first time Hegseth's international travels have attracted scrutiny. The investigation follows previous reports about his 2022 trip to Ukraine, where he made controversial comments about Russian President Vladimir Putin.
During that visit, Hegseth suggested that Putin should be "taken out," remarks that drew criticism for their inflammatory nature during an active military conflict.
Ongoing Investigation
The Pentagon's investigation remains active, with officials examining whether Hegseth's actions compromised national security protocols. The probe could have significant implications for his security clearance and future access to classified information.
Neither Hegseth nor Fox News have provided substantive comments on the investigation, while the Pentagon has acknowledged the ongoing review without disclosing specific details.
