Who is head of the United States Department of Defense?

The correct answer is based on the fact that Peter Brian Hegseth is not the head of the United States Department of Defense. The Department of Defense is led by the Secretary of Defense, a position that has been held by various individuals, depending on the administration and the date in question. As of October 2023, the Secretary of Defense is Lloyd J. Austin III.

Understanding who holds this position is important as it reflects the chain of command and the oversight of U.S. military and defense policies. The title "Honorable" is typically used for federal officials, including members of the Cabinet. The other individuals listed do not hold the position of Secretary of Defense, making their relevance to the question less pertinent to identifying the current head of the Department of Defense.