In Washington, it has been confirmed that Phil Hegseth, the younger brother of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, holds a significant position at the Pentagon as a liaison and senior adviser to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In this influential role, Phil Hegseth has participated in meetings with high-profile figures like a UFC champion and embarked on trips to locations such as Guantanamo Bay. He is currently accompanying his brother on the Pentagon’s 747 aircraft for the Secretary’s inaugural tour of the Indo-Pacific region.
Phil Hegseth serves as a senior adviser to the Secretary for DHS and a liaison officer to the Defense Department, as noted by Pentagon spokeswoman Kingsley Wilson in a recent statement. During the Secretary’s Indo-Pacific visit, Phil Hegseth is liaising with U.S. Coast Guard representatives, making stops in Hawaii, Guam, the Philippines, and Japan. This role is pivotal as border security remains a key issue for the current administration, with U.S. troops aiding DHS in border control efforts.
While it is standard for federal departments to have liaisons to enhance coordination, having close relatives of Cabinet members occupy such high-level roles is unusual. Michael Fallings, from Tully Rinckey PLLC, emphasized this point, even though family involvement in official positions isn’t unheard of. Phil Hegseth has previously worked with his brother during his tenure at Concerned Veterans for America, where he managed media relations.
His current role in DHS involves liaising with Homeland Security Investigations and other key agencies during the Indo-Pacific mission. However, both the Pentagon and DHS have not provided further insight into Phil Hegseth’s specific qualifications or responded to requests for additional commentary regarding his positioning.
Phil Hegseth has been a steady presence alongside his brother, Pete, especially during the latter’s confirmation hurdles in the Senate. His proximity within the Pentagon, in offices near his brother, underscores their professional closeness. Phil Hegseth has also been documented in meetings with notable figures, such as Conor McGregor, and accompanied the Secretary on excursions, including one to Guantanamo Bay.
Federal nepotism laws, established in 1967, restrict government officials from hiring relatives. However, Phil Hegseth’s presence in an organizational chart suggests close administrative ties. Thus, it draws questions surrounding potential nepotism depending on whether Pete Hegseth had any influence over his brother’s hiring at DHS. Still, these actions don’t appear to breach nepotism laws unless specifics of involvement or employment details surface.
Some exceptions to nepotism statutes exist, notably within presidential offices allowing appointments like Jared Kushner and Hillary Clinton in past administrations. Similarly, in the current administration, familial appointments have been observed, reflecting varied interpretations of these guidelines across different administrations.