Secretary of War Pete Hegseth named former U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to lead the reconstituted advisory panel, with former Sen. Norm Coleman serving as vice chair.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on Monday announced the members of a newly reconstituted Defense Policy Board, naming former U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer as chairman and former Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn., as vice chairman.
The announcement marks the latest step in the Department of War’s effort to reshape advisory bodies under President Donald Trump’s administration.
The Defense Policy Board was established in 1985 and provides independent advice to the secretary of War, deputy secretary of War and undersecretary of War for policy. Its work includes national security strategy, regional defense issues, force structure, military modernization and other long-term defense matters.
Lighthizer, who served as U.S. trade representative during Trump’s first administration, will lead the panel. Coleman, who represented Minnesota in the Senate from 2003 to 2009, will serve as vice chair.
The 15-member board also includes venture capitalist Marc Andreessen, co-founder and general partner of Andreessen Horowitz. His firm has invested in defense and technology companies including SpaceX, Skydio, Hadrian and Anduril, as well as artificial intelligence developer OpenAI.
Several of those companies hold War Department contracts as the Pentagon increases investments in autonomous systems, artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing.
Other members named to the board include Blake Masters, a former Republican Senate candidate in Arizona, and Michael Anton, who served as director of policy planning at the State Department during Trump’s first term.
The panel also includes retired Army Gen. Christopher Cavoli, former national security officials, business leaders and policy experts selected to advise Pentagon leadership on strategic challenges.
The Defense Policy Board does not have decision-making authority. It has historically served as a source of outside expertise for senior defense officials on long-term planning, military strategy, force posture, regional security and emerging national security threats.
Past boards have included former senior military officers, diplomats, lawmakers, academics and business leaders.
Hegseth dissolved the previous Defense Policy Board in April 2025 after an internal review. At the time, he said the panel needed to be realigned with the Department of War’s strategic direction and policy priorities under the Trump administration.
The Pentagon formally reestablished the board in August through a notice published in the Federal Register.
The announcement comes as the department emphasizes military modernization, defense innovation and strategic competition with China.
While the board’s recommendations are advisory, its membership gives outside experts a formal role in shaping discussions that may influence senior Pentagon leaders on future defense planning and emerging technologies.
Original article
Comments