© 2026 Michigan State University Board of Trustees
Public Media from Michigan State University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

How Hegseth could reshape the Defense Department under Trump

Season 2024 Episode 319 | 6m 57s

For perspective on President-elect Trump's pick of Pete Hegseth to be Secretary of Defense, Nick Schifrin spoke with James McPherson. He served as under secretary of the Army and as the Army's general council during the first Trump administration. He also had a 25-year career in the Navy and served as that service's top lawyer in uniform.

Major corporate funding for the PBS News Hour is provided by BDO, BNSF, Consumer Cellular, American Cruise Lines, and Raymond James. Funding for the PBS NewsHour Weekend is provided by Consumer Cellular and Cunard Cruise Line. For a complete list of funders for the PBS NewsHour and PBS NewsHour weekend, click here.
Extras
How ‘zombie mortgages’ are coming back to haunt homeowners years later
Head of humanitarian group urges nations to step up Sudan aid to prevent ‘biblical’ famine
What to know about South Carolina’s big measles outbreak and who is most at risk
How public opinion shifting against ICE may affect the DHS funding showdown in Congress
Sudanese army finds overwhelming suffering after breaking RSF siege of embattled city
Search continues for Nancy Guthrie as authorities seek leads to find suspects
The complicated road to recovery for Indian women forced into sex work
News Wrap: Trump rejects extension of expired U.S.-Russia nuclear arms treaty
February 5, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
February 4, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode