US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has sparked controversy by revealing which of his fellow cabinet members in the Trump administration he would not trust to look after his children.
Podcast Revelation on Childcare Trust
The remarks were made during a conversation with Katie Miller, wife of senior adviser Stephen Miller, on her podcast. When asked which cabinet member he would trust to babysit his kids, Hegseth did not mince his words.
"I mean, not your husband or Marco," Hegseth stated bluntly, referring to Stephen Miller and Florida Senator Marco Rubio. He then listed those he would trust, saying, "I would trust the vice president. I mean, I've known Sean Duffy for years. I would trust him. I would trust Brooke Rollins or Pam. Tulsi's incredible."
Context of a Controversial Figure
Hegseth, a former Fox News personality who has been married three times and has seven biological and stepchildren, added a curious caveat. He suggested that Stephen Miller would be the cabinet member most likely to call him in an emergency, despite the babysitting slight.
The podcast appearance comes at a sensitive time for the Defence Secretary. He is currently facing significant criticism over the legality of recent Venezuelan boat strikes. Reports allege he issued an order to "kill everybody" on board vessels suspected of carrying drugs from Venezuela, a claim that has raised serious legal and ethical questions.
Timing and Political Repercussions
The interview was recorded and released on Wednesday, 3 December 2025. While seemingly light-hearted, the comments offer an unusual glimpse into the personal dynamics within President Donald Trump's top team.
Such public assessments of colleagues' reliability, even in a domestic context, are rare for a sitting cabinet secretary and have drawn attention away from the pressing defence matters he oversees. The episode underscores the often-blurred lines between personal rapport and professional governance in the current political climate.
