Hugh Hewitt facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Hugh Hewitt
Hewitt in 2017
President and CEO of the Richard Nixon Foundation
In office July 1, 2019 – November 8, 2021
Preceded by	William Baribault
Succeeded by	Jim Byron
In office January 23, 1989 – September 17, 1990
Preceded by	position established
Succeeded by	John Taylor
Deputy Director of the Office of Personnel Management
In office July 14, 1988 – January 20, 1989
President	Ronald Reagan
Preceded by	James Colvard
Succeeded by	Bill Phillips
Personal details
Born	(1956-02-22) February 22, 1956 (age 69) Warren, Ohio, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Betsy Hewitt ​ (m. 1982)​
Education	Harvard University (BA) University of Michigan (JD)

Hugh Hewitt, born on February 22, 1956, is an American political commentator, radio host, and author. He is known for sharing his conservative views on law, society, and politics. Hewitt has worked in government, taught law, and written for newspapers. He often appears on Fox News to discuss current events.

Early Life and Education

Hugh Hewitt was born in Warren, Ohio, on February 22, 1956. His parents were Marguerite and William Robert Hewitt. He has family roots in both Ulster and the Republic of Ireland.

Hewitt went to John F. Kennedy Catholic High School in Warren, Ohio. He then attended Harvard University, graduating in 1978. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in government.

After Harvard, he worked for David Eisenhower. He also helped Richard Nixon write books like The Real War and Leaders. Nixon encouraged him to study law. Hewitt then went to the University of Michigan Law School. He earned his law degree in 1983. After law school, he worked for judges in Washington, D.C.

Career Highlights

Hugh Hewitt has held many important jobs. He worked for President Ronald Reagan's government. His roles included helping with personnel management and assisting the Attorney General.

In 1989, Hewitt became the executive director of the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum. He caused some discussion when he suggested that researchers should be checked before using the library. He thought some journalists, like Bob Woodward, should not be allowed in. However, a spokesperson for Nixon quickly changed this decision.

Hewitt left the Nixon Library in 1990. He then hosted a weekend radio show in Los Angeles. From 1992 to 2001, he co-hosted a TV show called Life & Times on PBS. He won three Emmy Awards for his work on this show. He also created and hosted a PBS series called Searching for God in America.

He has written columns for online newspapers. He has also appeared on many TV programs. These include Larry King Live and The O'Reilly Factor. Hewitt is also a law professor at Chapman University School of Law. He started a law journal there called Nexus Journal of Law and Policy.

In 2019, Hewitt returned to the Richard Nixon Foundation as its president and CEO. This foundation helps run the Nixon Library. He left this role in November 2021.

The Hugh Hewitt Show (Radio)

Hugh Hewitt hosts a national radio show called The Hugh Hewitt Show. It is broadcast from California on weekdays. The show is heard on more than 75 radio stations. It is put on the air by the Salem Radio Network.

The show covers law, government, and politics. Hewitt also talks about American culture and entertainment. He often discusses how the news media reports stories. He invites journalists to talk about their work on his show. Regular guests include law professors and other commentators.

Hugh Hewitt (Television)

On June 24, 2017, Hugh Hewitt started a TV show on MSNBC. It was a half-hour show that aired on Saturdays. On the show, he interviewed guests and shared his thoughts on current events.

On June 30, 2018, Hewitt announced that his show was canceled. However, he continued to appear on NBC networks. In 2020, NBC and MSNBC stopped inviting him on their programs. This led to him leaving his contract in 2021. He then began appearing on Fox News Channel. In November 2024, Hewitt left his position with The Washington Post.

Salem News Channel

Hugh Hewitt also broadcasts his show on the Salem News Channel. His show started streaming there in November 2021.

Political Views

Hewitt is known for his conservative political views. He has said that he looks up to other conservative commentators like George Will.

Foreign Policy

In 2006, Hewitt supported President George W. Bush's decision to go to war in Iraq. He believed it was a wise choice. Later, he disagreed with President Donald Trump's decision to reduce U.S. troops in Syria. Hewitt thought it was a "major error." He also believes the United States should spend more money on its military.

Donald Trump

Hewitt was a moderator for some of the 2016 Republican Party presidential debates and forums. During these debates, he had disagreements with Donald Trump. Hewitt initially said that Trump did not have the right personality to be president.

However, in February 2016, Hewitt stated he would support Trump if he became the Republican nominee. In June 2016, after some controversial comments by Trump, Hewitt publicly asked the Republican Party to withdraw their support for Trump. A week later, Hewitt changed his mind again. He wrote an article supporting Trump.

In August 2016, Hewitt suggested that Ivanka Trump could replace Donald Trump on the election ticket. In October 2016, he asked Trump to drop out of the race after a controversial recording became public. Hewitt has stated that he ultimately voted for Trump.

Hewitt supported Trump's choices for his foreign policy team in 2018. He believed that people like John Bolton and Mike Pompeo would bring a strong approach to national security.

During the Trump-Ukraine scandal, Hewitt suggested that the complaint against Trump was a distraction. He wrote articles comparing the situation to a "coup" against Trump. He called the phone call at the center of the scandal a "nothingburger."

In October 2019, Hewitt defended Trump's decision to remove U.S. troops from Northern Syria. This move left Syrian Kurds vulnerable to attack. On his podcast in October 2024, Hewitt confirmed he voted for Trump in the 2024 presidential election.

Immigration

In June 2018, Hewitt interviewed Attorney General Jeff Sessions. He questioned Sessions about the policy of separating immigrant children from their parents at the border. Hewitt stated that he believed separating children from their parents, especially infants, was "traumatic and terribly difficult."

Personal Life

Hugh Hewitt has written several books about the Christian faith. He has also said that he believes the Democratic Party is against religion. He attends church regularly. He married Betsy Hewitt in 1982. They live in Virginia and have three children.

Books

• The Queen: The Epic Ambition of Hillary and the Coming of a Second "Clinton Era" (2015)
• The Happiest Life: Seven Gifts, Seven Givers, and the Secret to Genuine Success (2013)
• The Brief Against Obama: The Rise, Fall & Epic Fail of the Hope & Change Presidency (2012)
• A Guide to Christian Ambition: Using Career, Politics, and Culture to Influence the World (2006)
• Blog: Understanding the Information Reformation That's Changing Your World (2005)