Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to Keynote Reagan National Defense Forum

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 4, 2025

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to Keynote Reagan National Defense Forum

Secretary Hegseth returns to RNDF to address America’s premier defense policy convening.

SIMI VALLEY, California — The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute today announced Secretary of War Pete Hegseth will deliver the keynote address at the 2025 Reagan National Defense Forum (RNDF) in Simi Valley, California on December 6, 2025.

Now in its twelfth year, RNDF brings together leaders from across the defense ecosystem — including senior civilian and military officials, Members of Congress, industry executives, and national security experts — to discuss the policies and resources required to ensure peace through strength.

RNDF 2025 will convene senior leaders to examine the nation’s defense posture, modernization priorities, and alliance relationships. As in prior years, the program will feature keynote remarks, plenary sessions, and panel discussions focused on the most pressing challenges facing U.S. national security.

“President Reagan believed that peace is best preserved when America is strong, confident, and unapologetic about its leadership in the world,” said Roger Zakheim, director of the Ronald Reagan Institute. “We look forward to welcoming Secretary Hegseth to RNDF to share his priorities for the Pentagon with the defense community and outline his vision for sustaining American strength and restoring deterrence.”

Secretary Hegseth has participated in RNDF several times previously, and is the first person to cover the forum as a journalist, participate as a panelist, and speak as Secretary of War.

A full RNDF agenda can be found HERE. RSVP to watch Secretary Hegseth’s remarks and additional RNDF programming virtually, live-streamed from the Reagan Library. 

· What: The Reagan National Defense Forum

· Who: Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, members of Congress, senior civilian and military leadership of the Pentagon, former government officials, defense industry leaders, and members of the press

· When: Friday – Saturday, December 5 – 6, 2025

· Where: Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, 40 Presidential Drive, Simi Valley, CA 93065

For more information, visit www.RNDF.org and follow @ReaganInstitute.

About the Reagan Foundation and Institute 

The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute (RRPFI) is the sole nonprofit organization created by President Reagan charged with advancing his legacy and principles – individual liberty, economic opportunity, freedom and democracy, peace through strength, and national pride.

A globally recognized nonpartisan organization based in Simi Valley, CA, with a leading policy institute in Washington, DC, RRPFI delivers impactful public affairs programming, policy convenings and projects of national and international significance, scholarly initiatives, and distinctive educational programs shaping the perspectives of middle, high school, and college students.

In addition, RRPFI sustains the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum, the largest and most visited presidential library. A leading cultural institution, RRPFI houses a remarkable 125,000 square foot museum with unique historical pieces that tells the story of Ronald Reagan’s life, presidency, and enduring impact, and hosts world-class special exhibitions.  

Contact:  
reagan@invariantgr.com