Tag Archives: Pete Hegseth

The New York Times reports: When Pete Hegseth visited senators on Capitol Hill this month in an effort to show that he has the qualifications and judgment to lead the Defense Department, he was escorted by a security guard with a dark episode in his past. The guard, a former Army Special Forces master sergeant named John Jacob Hasenbein, left …

Politico reports: Pete Hegseth has pushed for years to steep American education in patriotic principles and Christian theology — and he could implement that vision for thousands of military families if he’s confirmed to lead the Defense Department. Tucked inside the Pentagon’s nearly $900 billion-per-year bureaucracy is a network of 161 schools in 11 countries, seven states, Guam and Puerto …

“I’m in a good place with Pete, unless something I don’t know about comes out. These allegations are disturbing, but they’re anonymous. I asked him point blank, ‘Were you drunk in a bar and got up and, said, ‘Let’s kill all the Muslims’? He said, ‘No.’ “But about mismanagement of money, about, you know, having a drinking problem and saying …

Mediaite reports: A new survey from the Associated Press and National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago suggests that Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Defense, has almost no popular support. According to the poll, only 17% of those surveyed said that they approved of Hegseth’s nomination. In general, just 27% of the …

Politico reports: Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump’s embattled pick for Defense secretary, is shifting his stance on LGBTQ+ service members. The former Fox Host has previously labeled policies allowing gay and transgender troops a “Marxist agenda.” But when asked by reporters on Thursday during a meeting with Sen. Rand PaulRand Paul (R-Ky.) whether he supports gays serving in the military, he …

CNN reports: Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for secretary of defense, has repeatedly criticized policies allowing gay people to serve openly in the US military, calling them part of a “Marxist” agenda to prioritize social justice over combat readiness. In his 2024 book “The War on Warriors” and in subsequent media promotions this year, Hegseth described both the original …

Mediaite reports: Jesse Eisinger, a senior editor and reporter at ProPublica, hit back at President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Pentagon on Wednesday after Pete Hegseth attacked the news organization for inquiring about his acceptance to West Point. Hegseth, a former Fox News morning show host and pro-MAGA culture warrior, wrote on X, “We understand that ProPublica (the Left …

Mediaite reports: Newsmax instructed staff to lay off Pete Hegseth, the Fox News host Donald Trump nominated to serve as his secretary of defense, after a segment bashing the pick sparked the ire of Trump himself. Greg Kelly, who helms the 9 p.m. hour on Newsmax, tore into Hegseth last week, calling him “blackmailable” because of his “baggage” and arguing …

“What you’re seeing is a military right now that is more interested in social engineering led by this president than they are in war fighting. So, as a result, through Don’t Ask Don’t Tell and women in the military and these standards, they’re going to inevitably start to erode standards because they want that one female special operator, that one …

From last month’s report by Right Wing Watch: When Donald Trump announced his intention to nominate Fox News host Pete Hegseth to serve as Secretary of Defense, concerns were raised immediately about Hegseth’s undisguised Christian nationalism. Hegseth, who has admitted that his multiple crusader tattoos got him “deemed an extremist” by his own National Guard unit, has deep ties to …

Politico reports: In recent days, allies of Trump adopted an approach that is not novel for the president-elect and his followers: Make life extremely uncomfortable for anyone who dares to oppose him. The swarm of MAGA attacks that Sen. Joni Ernst has experienced is a warning of what’s in store for others who express skepticism of his personnel choices. Days …

“I appreciate Pete Hegseth’s responsiveness and respect for the process. Following our encouraging conversations, Pete committed to completing a full audit of the Pentagon and selecting a senior official who will uphold the roles and value of our servicemen and women — based on quality and standards, not quotas — and who will prioritize and strengthen my work to prevent …

Playbook reports: Mike David — the former top Senate GOP aide who is perhaps Trump’s fiercest legal defender — is something of an outside adviser on the transition. And he’s mobilizing his Article III Project to become the tip of the spear in building pressure from the base on Republican senators to confirm Hegseth. In recent days, after a blitz …

The Associated Press reports: Sen. Joni Ernst made her most expansive comments yet on Pete Hegseth, telling a largely GOP audience at a California security conference Saturday that she needs to hear more from President-elect Donald Trump’s embattled defense secretary pick on key issues before she decides whether to support him. ”I am a survivor of sexual assault,” said Ernst …

The Associated Press reports: Military leaders are rattled by a list of “woke” senior officers that a conservative group urged Pete Hegseth to dismiss for promoting diversity in the ranks if he is confirmed to lead the Pentagon. The list compiled by the American Accountability Foundation includes 20 general officers or senior admirals and a disproportionate number of female officers.  …

“I’m optimistic about it. I’ve talked to a number of senators personally on the Hill just over the last couple of days and it seems like the momentum’s moving the right way. Look, I like how he’s approached it. We’ve all made mistakes in our lives, but we believe in redemption. “What Pete brings to the table is a love …

NBC News reports: “It looks like Pete is doing well now,” Trump said in an exclusive interview with “Meet the Press” Moderator Kristen Welker that will air Sunday.” “I mean, people were a little bit concerned. He’s a young guy, with a tremendous track record actually. He went to Princeton and went to Harvard. He was a good student at …

“I know he’s under fire in the Senate, but he’s under fire from squishy senators who have been against everything we want to do. And so I hope he holds the line all the way through. I’m defending him and we should all defend him. “You know, look, we’ve all had some indiscretions in our past and things like that. …

“Pete Hegseth is doing very well. His support is strong and deep, much more so than the Fake News would have you believe. He was a great student – Princeton/Harvard educated – with a Military state of mind. He will be a fantastic, high energy, Secretary of Defense Defense, one who leads with charisma and skill. Pete is a WINNER, …

“Pete Hegseth is no Matt Gaetz. He hasn’t done nearly enough for MAGA to warrant a Department of Defense job, and he’s got serious baggage. Serious baggage. It happens sometimes. Not every pick is perfect. “Where do I get this stuff, by the way? Not from the fake news, but from this guy. Tim Parlatore is Hegseth’s attorney and he’s …