While many conservatives across the country have correctly pointed out that a number of Democratic politicians such as Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) have somehow managed to turn public service into a highly lucrative career, leading many to believe that most Democrats, who are in the same boat, sought government work to become rich, a number of Republican public servants have patriotically taken cuts in pay to serve the country.
One prime example is Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. Before being confirmed as a member of President Donald Trump’s cabinet, Hegseth was a contributor and commentator with Fox News. In 2024, before being tapped to head up the Department of Defense — now the Department of War — he was earning an estimated $2.3 million a year.
In order to serve his country, Hegseth left his position at Fox and is now only making $256,000 a year. Folks on the right believe this reveals his true motivation for serving in President Trump’s cabinet: love of country. And he’s far from the only one. A post published on social media platform X revealed several other individuals working in the administration who took big pay cuts to do so.
Next on the list is Judge Jeanine Pirro, who also worked for Fox News as the host of a highly popular program where she was making $5,000,000 a year in 2024. Her new salary is significantly lower. Pirro is currently making $198,000 a year serving as the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia, where she focuses on “law and order” initiatives.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, also a former member of Fox News, made roughly a million dollars in 2025, before being tapped by President Trump to take up a position in his cabinet. He’s now making $253,000 yearly. Duffy has had a rich history of serving his country, having formerly been a GOP congressman for Wisconsin’s 7th District, along with being a district attorney.
Many conservatives responded to the post with high praise for this list of individuals, including one person who wrote, “Agree. Pure Patriots. All have my highest admiration and approval. Let’s not forget Trump turning over his $400,000 yearly income as President for a mere $1. Stunning and Marvelous!” Another took an opportunity to slam “corrupt” Democrats.
“The corrupt Democrats defraud Americans while our patriotic conservatives are leaving cushy jobs taking massive pay cuts to serve the country. They are not the same,” the user wrote. Someone else discussed how desperately the country needed patriots like Duffy, Pirro, and Hegseth following the Biden-Harris administration.
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“After what Biden-Harris did to our country, we desperately needed for these and other Trump America Patriots to Excise the Malignant Tumor of Progressivism and Woke,” the person said. Another individual also posted about how badly America needed people of integrity to step forward and serve in critical roles within the administration, replying, “This is the lefts purpose, to punish these people for actually doing what the voters want. They love America and are effective. Thank God for these people. Imagine where we would be if Trump lost.”
Pete Hegseth’s salary was an est. $2.3 million in 2024.
His new salary is $256K.
Jeanine Pirro made $5,000,000 in 2024.
Her new salary is $198,000.
Sean Duffy made an est. $1 Million last year.
His new salary is $253K.
They aren't in it for the money.
They are in it for… pic.twitter.com/ugU5q65u5G
— Mila Joy (@Milajoy) April 6, 2026