Trump signs executive order creating Military Spouse Commission, chaired by Jennifer Hegseth

Published Aug 3, 08:20 PM UTC

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on August 3, 2026, establishing the President's Military Spouse Commission, chaired by Jennifer Hegseth, wife of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The commission, comprising over 20 members including spouses of service secretaries, Joint Chiefs, and senior enlisted advisers, will address persistent problems facing military spouses such as unemployment (above 20%), housing, childcare, healthcare, education, and deployment support. The commission will meet monthly at the White House, provide annual reports, and operate for two years unless extended. It is unclear how it will coordinate with the existing DoD Family Readiness Council. The initiative follows decades of advocacy and previous efforts by Biden and Obama administrations.