Sean Parnell (spokesperson)

Richard Sean Parnell was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After serving in the U.S. Army from 2004 to 2010, he pursued undergraduate studies at Clarion University, the University of Pittsburgh, and Duquesne University, as well as graduate education at Duquesne University. ==Military service==

After receiving his commission through the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps program at Duquesne University, Parnell led 3rd Platoon, B Company, 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division. The company was based near the Pakistani border in Barmal District of Paktika Province on an extended 16-month deployment. After the deployment, Parnell was awarded two Bronze Star Medals and a Purple Heart. Parnell left active duty as a lieutenant and was discharged as a captain from the Individual Ready Reserve. He authored the book Outlaw Platoon with John R. Bruning based on his experiences. ==Political career==

Parnell ran for in 2020, narrowly losing to Democratic incumbent Conor Lamb. The following year, Parnell announced he would run in the 2022 Republican primary for Pennsylvania's open senate seat. He was endorsed by Donald Trump. Parnell suspended his candidacy in November 2021. In February 2025, President Trump announced via Truth Social that Parnell would serve as the chief Pentagon spokesman under his administration. In addition to his primary role as assistant to the secretary of defense for public affairs, Parnell also serves as a senior advisor to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. In April 2026, New York Post and The Hill reported that Parnell has privately expressed interest in the position of Army Secretary Daniel P. Driscoll, amid rumors of tension between Driscoll and Hegseth. Electoral history ==Bibliography==