‘Brother, I’m Pulling You Along’: Republicans Go All Out to Lift Pete Hegseth

One Republican senator accused his colleagues of being drunk on the job, as Trump’s Defense pick accused the media of a “smear campaign.”

Pete Hegseth appears before the Senate Armed Services Committee for his confirmation hearing.

Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s choice to be Defense secretary, appears before the Senate Armed Services Committee for his confirmation hearing. J. Scott Applewhite/AP

Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump’s nominee for the secretary of Defense, was ready to fight back against his critics at his confirmation hearing Tuesday — and Republican senators were ready to help him.

No one displayed this readiness quite like Sen. Markwayne Mullin — who, in the process of trying to clear Hegseth’s name, dragged his Senate colleagues down, accusing some of them of voting drunk and cheating on their partners.

“You guys aren’t any better,” Mullin, who has been something of a hype man for Hegseth in recent weeks, said, directing his comments to the Democrats on the committee. Specifically, he called out Sen. Tim Kaine, who had asked Hegseth about the allegations of his alcohol abuse.