Jennifer Hegseth, the wife of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, was paid by Watchtower Strategy, a consulting firm with connections to former President Donald Trump, according to her annual financial disclosure report. The firm, which also worked with Lockheed Martin, hired Jennifer Hegseth for her television contacts, not because of her husband's position. A spokesperson for Watchtower stated that she helped the firm navigate conservative TV media and did not provide advice on defense matters.
Watchtower Strategy was founded in January 2025 and offers strategic advice, advocacy, and communications services, with a roster that includes former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and other Republican operatives. Lockheed Martin was a client of Watchtower last year, but it is unclear if they still work together. The disclosure of Jennifer Hegseth's payment from Watchtower has raised questions about potential conflicts of interest, with former Rep. Matt Gaetz criticizing the arrangement, saying that wives of Cabinet members should not be paid by lobbyists.
The news comes as Secretary Pete Hegseth's position is under scrutiny, with some Republicans looking to blame him for recent losses, and his name being mentioned as potentially being on the chopping block. However, President Trump has expressed his confidence in Hegseth, saying he thinks he is doing a very good job, and White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly stated that Trump has full confidence in the Secretary. Despite this, Capitol Hill is less forgiving, with some lawmakers calling for Hegseth's impeachment or removal from office.