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This is Defector, a new sports blog and media company. We made this place together, we own it together, we run it together. Without access, without favor, without discretion, and without interference.

Defector

Sohini Desai

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth testifies during a House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Defense hearing to examine the 2027 budget for the Department of Defense on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on May 12, 2026.

Politics

The U.S. Is Still Killing People In Illegal Boat Strikes

<p>Nicholas Russell is a writer from Las Vegas.</p>


Nicholas Russell

Interviews

How The U.S. Military Rots American Masculinity

Albert Burneko

Pete Hegseth Adds New Weapon To American Warfighter Loadout: Influenza

Patrick Redford

A LED sphere screen shows information inside the new location of the prediction market online platform Polymarket called "The Situation Room."

Capital

Polymarket Apologizes For Taking Bets On American Pilots Downed Over Iran

Tom Ley

Report: Unflattering Pictures Of Pete Hegseth Got Photographers Banned From Pentagon Briefings

Donald Trump wearing his stupid hat in the situation room at Mar-a-Lago

Donald Trump Can’t Even Pretend To Explain The Plan For Iran

David Roth

U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (R) and Japanese Defense Minister Shinjirō Koizumi talk between sets during their workout on January 15, 2026 in Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Virginia.

Podcasts

Ideologically Opposed To Proper Workout Form, With Patrick Wyman

<p>Staff Writer</p>
<p>Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19</p>


Chris Thompson

Which Lives Are Worthy Of The Media’s Protection?

Seth Harp Talks About The Rot At The Core Of America’s Empire

Justin Ellis

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks on stage to military leaders at Marine Corps Base Quantico

College Football

Hegseth Delivers Inspiration, Pushups, To The Youth

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<div class="p-rich_text_section">Tom Scocca is the editor of <a href="http://indignity.net">Indignity</a>, a subscription-supported newsletter of news, essays, and commentary.</div>
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Tom Scocca

Yemeni men and children in the rubble of a Sana'a neighborhood leveled by U.S. attacks.

Margin Of Error

The Human Factor

President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to be Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth leaves a meeting with Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) with his wife Jennifer Rauchet as he continues to meet with lawmakers on Capitol Hill on December 5, 2024 in Washington, DC.