Jason Miller, senior adviser to President-elect Trump, expressed confidence in Pete Hegseth’s nomination for Defense secretary despite recent controversies surrounding him.
Addressing concerns during an interview with CNN on Tuesday, Miller stated, “There’s no doubt about Pete Hegseth’s ability to secure Senate confirmation. We’re confident in his qualifications and positioning.”
Miller emphasizes Hegseth’s battlefield experience as vital for Defense leadership
Reports from The New Yorker on Sunday revealed that Hegseth was compelled to resign from two nonprofit advocacy organizations he led due to allegations of fund mismanagement, inappropriate behavior, and intoxication, prior to his transition to a full-time Fox News host role in 2017. These allegations have fueled scrutiny during the confirmation process.
On Monday, Hegseth met with senators on Capitol Hill as part of the procedure, an approach Miller highlighted as essential. He emphasized the importance of these sessions, explaining that the Senate treats confirmation hearings as a serious platform for evaluating nominees and addressing key concerns.
A separate report from The New York Times on Friday added further controversy. It detailed an email allegedly sent by Hegseth’s mother in 2018, accusing him of a history of mistreating women and lacking integrity.
She later retracted her claims, explaining that the email had been written in anger during her son’s divorce. Trump communications director Steven Cheung criticized the release of the email, calling it “despicable.”
Miller acknowledged the difficulties of personal family disputes, noting, “Family conversations can be challenging.” He also underscored Hegseth’s combat experience, stating, “His battlefield experience makes him precisely the kind of leader we need at the Department of Defense, someone who understands the gravity of putting our troops in harm’s way.”
