Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) cautioned that confirming former Fox News weekend co-host Pete Hegseth as President-elect Donald Trump’s defense secretary would be “difficult” due to recent allegations regarding his treatment of women and alcohol abuse. Graham spoke about the challenges Hegseth could face during his confirmation hearings in an interview with CBS News correspondent Scott MacFarlane.
“I think some of these articles are very disturbing,” Graham said. “He obviously has a chance to defend himself here, but some of this stuff is it’s going to be difficult.” The confirmation process for Hegseth, who has been tapped for the high-profile position, has been complicated by serious allegations.
In 2017, police in Monterey, California, investigated Hegseth after a woman accused him of sexual assault at a Republican women’s conference. The police report indicated that the woman sought medical attention after she believed she was assaulted. Hegseth told officers that the encounter was consensual, and the two parties eventually settled out of court.
In addition to the sexual assault allegations, Hegseth’s mother reportedly described him as “an abuser of women” in an email released by The New York Times. “That is the ugly truth and I have no respect for any man that belittles, lies, cheats, sleeps around, and uses women for his own power and ego,” she wrote in 2018, according to the report.
Furthermore, The New Yorker reported that Hegseth was removed from leadership positions at two veterans organizations due to drunkenness and sexist behavior, adding another layer of controversy surrounding his candidacy.
With these allegations on the table, Graham expressed doubt about Hegseth’s ability to navigate the confirmation process. The senator’s remarks reflect growing concern over the vetting of nominees for key positions in the incoming administration, particularly when serious personal and professional issues are raised.