Hegseth began his career in public service by joining the U.S. Army National Guard. As an infantry officer, he served in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Guantanamo Bay, earning the Bronze Star Medal and Combat Infantryman Badge for his leadership in combat.

Although Prosperie filed a lawsuit against Hegseth after the incident, it was discontinued in 2019. “The parties have resolved the matter and will make no further comment,” Prosperie’s attorney, Brandon Cotter, told the Associated Press.

Hegseth, who has been a co-host of “Fox & Friends Weekend” for the better part of a decade, has used the show to highlight his views about the US military. He has railed against the Pentagon’s adoption of “social justice” messages and argued that “woke” policies have hurt military recruitment.