Before the Pentagon, Hegseth was handing veterans the keys to a new life

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, in a video message at the Defender of Freedom Gala in Virginia’s Pentagon City last week, fondly recalled his cold morning in Minnesota years ago when he delivered joy to a veteran and his family.

Mr. Hegseth was part of “Fox & Friends,” a Fox News program, when Freedom Alliance, an organization that helps military service members and veterans, asked him to help give away a mortgage-free home to the man.

“I watched as his kids ran through the house,” the secretary said. “It was the first house the family had ever owned. Programs like these from Freedom Alliance transform lives.”

• Alex Swoyer can be reached at aswoyer@washingtontimes.com.