Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is set to lead the newly created Homeland Defense Board (HDB), a Pentagon advisory committee established to focus on domestic security initiatives. The formation of this board was officially announced in the Federal Register on September 11. According to the Pentagon, the primary objective of the HDB is to address specific vulnerabilities and coordination challenges within the department's current approach to homeland defense.

While the Pentagon has characterized the board as a necessary step to fill strategic gaps in national security, the announcement has drawn attention due to the high-profile nature of Hegseth’s leadership role. The board represents the first time the Department of Defense has dedicated a specific advisory panel solely to the intersection of homeland security and military defense strategy. Details regarding the board's specific membership, budget, and operational timeline remain limited, though the Federal Register notice confirms its formal establishment. Analysts are currently monitoring the board to see how it will interact with existing agencies like the Department of Homeland Security, as the Pentagon seeks to clarify its role in domestic defense operations.