Republican Senators Dismiss Allegations Against Pete Hegseth After Meeting with Him

Several Republican senators, following a private meeting with Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for Secretary of Defense, have brushed aside allegations of sexual assault and other misconduct against him. These senators, who met with Hegseth behind closed doors on Monday, appeared unfazed by the accusations and instead emphasized his qualifications for the role.

Sen. Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., downplayed the allegations, calling them a “side issue” while praising Hegseth’s leadership potential. "Are soldiers sometimes wild children? Yeah, that can happen," Lummis remarked when asked about the allegations. She continued, “But it is very clear that this guy is the right person to lead at a time when Americans are losing confidence in their military and our ability to project strength globally."

The meeting, which lasted less than an hour, was attended by around 10 to 12 members of the Republican Steering Committee, a group led by Sen. Mike Lee of Utah. While they did not specifically address the allegations, the senators expressed strong support for Hegseth, an Army National Guard veteran and former Fox News host. Hegseth has denied the accusations against him, most recently including a 2015 whistleblower report published in The New Yorker. The report, which was uncovered this past Sunday, alleged that Hegseth had been intoxicated while working at a veterans’ organization he ran. NBC News has not independently verified these claims. Hegseth's lawyer declined to comment, and a representative for him dismissed the claims as "outlandish" and stemming from a "petty and jealous disgruntled former associate."

Senators offered their unwavering support for Hegseth, praising his vision for the Pentagon. "I’ve known Pete for a while, and my experience with him has always been positive," said Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla. "He’s clearly committed to building a lethal military that will command respect from allies and strike fear into our enemies."

Sen. Lee, a key figure in the meeting, did not confirm if the allegations were discussed but mentioned that the senators focused on Hegseth’s plans for the Defense Department. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, criticized the media's focus on personal allegations, saying the press was “obsessed” with them. He also highlighted that although all Cabinet nominees undergo background checks, some Republicans have suggested the FBI should not conduct these checks, breaking from traditional procedure.

Among the most serious allegations against Hegseth is that he sexually assaulted a woman in 2017, an accusation reported by police after a Republican women’s convention in California. Though the case did not result in charges, Hegseth has admitted to settling the matter with the accuser, although the terms of the settlement remain undisclosed.

Last week, The New York Times reported that Hegseth’s mother had sent him an email calling him an “abuser of women” during his contentious divorce in 2018. She later expressed regret for her message. Hegseth’s legal team has not publicly commented but has denounced the story as a baseless attack, alleging it stemmed from a private conversation taken out of context.

In response to the questions raised by Hegseth's past comments on women in the military, Lummis was untroubled. In an interview, Hegseth had stated that women should not be allowed in combat roles, arguing that their presence complicated military operations. His remarks drew backlash from female veterans, but Lummis seemed to dismiss concerns, suggesting that Hegseth might reconsider his stance upon meeting top female pilots.

Despite the controversies surrounding Hegseth, Republican senators remain steadfast in their support, choosing to focus on his leadership abilities and vision for strengthening the military.