Senate Republicans Acknowledge Pete Hegseth Has a Lot to Explain

Republicans largely stood behind Trump’s defense secretary nominee after a bombshell report outlined allegations of alcohol abuse and sexual misconduct.

Pete Hegseth

Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s defense secretary nominee met with senators. Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call via AP

Republicans appear to know that Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of defense isn’t a sure thing.

Military veteran and Fox New host Pete Hegseth’s nomination has been under fire from the moment Trump announced him as his pick. On Sunday, The New Yorker published a report alleging Hegseth had a history of alcohol abuse, sexual misconduct and mismanagement at the two veterans organizations he ran.

The New Yorker report compounds allegations detailed in a 2017 police report that Hegseth sexually assaulted a woman. Hegseth was not charged, and has maintained that he was “cleared.”