Hegseth launches Gold Star Advisory Council at Pentagon
Secretary Pete Hegseth formally established the Gold Star Advisory Council (GSAC) by Department memorandum on May 6, 2025, and convened its first Secretary-level meeting this week to give Gold Star families a direct line to the Pentagon. Co-vice chairs Under Secretary Anthony J. Tata and Gold Star wife and senior adviser Jane Horton will help lead the council, which will meet at least twice annually to offer policy recommendations and push to "call out the failures" and shake up the bureaucratic status quo.
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🔍 Key Facts
- The Department formally established the Gold Star Advisory Council (GSAC) by memorandum dated May 6, 2025.
- The council held its first convening this week at the Pentagon, meeting at the Secretary level on Monday.
- Secretary Pete Hegseth chaired the inaugural meeting and said the council's mandate is to “call out the failures” and “shake up the bureaucratic status quo.”
- The GSAC will meet at least twice annually to offer policy recommendations and provide Gold Star families a direct channel to influence Pentagon policy.
- Co-vice chairs are Under Secretary Anthony J. Tata and Jane Horton (a Gold Star wife and senior adviser); both were quoted on the council’s mission.
- Fox News characterized the council as a “long overdue” channel for Gold Star families to influence policy.
📰 Sources (2)
Hegseth chairs first-ever Gold Star Advisory Council meeting, giving families direct line to Pentagon
New information:
- Confirms the council convened for its first meeting at the Secretary-of-War level this Monday.
- Provides direct quotes from Secretary Pete Hegseth describing the council's mandate to 'call out the failures' and 'shake up the bureaucratic status quo.'
- Names the co-vice chairs as Under Secretary Anthony Tata and Gold Star wife Jane Horton and quotes both on the council's mission.
- States the council will meet at least twice a year and was established by a memorandum signed in May.
Pete Hegseth sets up ‘long overdue’ channel for gold star families to influence policy
New information:
- The Gold Star Advisory Council (GSAC) was formally established by a Department memorandum dated May 6, 2025.
- The Council held its first convening this week and will meet at least twice annually to offer policy recommendations.
- Co-vice chairs named: Under Secretary Anthony J. Tata and Jane Horton (a Gold Star wife and senior adviser); Secretary Pete Hegseth provided direct quotes supporting the council's mandate.