President-elect Donald Trump’s senior adviser Jason Miller dismissed concerns over Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth, despite recent controversies surrounding the pick.
“So when it comes to Pete Hegseth, there aren’t any concerns, and we feel very good about his positioning for being confirmed by the Senate,” Miller told CNN on Tuesday.
Hegseth Faces Allegations of Mismanagement and Misconduct
A report from The New Yorker on Sunday revealed that Hegseth stepped down from leadership roles at two nonprofit advocacy groups due to allegations of fund mismanagement, sexual impropriety, and intoxicated behavior before joining Fox News full-time in 2017.
Hegseth met with senators on Capitol Hill Monday as part of the confirmation process. Miller emphasized the importance of the Senate’s vetting procedures.
“That’s because the Senate takes it so seriously to go and have the one-on-one meetings, to have these confirmation hearings, to give senators the chance to kick the tires and get some of these questions answered on their own,” Miller said.
Family Drama Adds Fuel to the Fire
A separate controversy arose when The New York Times reported an email from Hegseth’s mother in 2018 accusing him of mistreating women and lacking character. She later apologized, stating she sent the email “in anger” during her son’s divorce. Trump communications director Steven Cheung called the publication of the email “despicable.”
Miller acknowledged the sensitive nature of family disputes but defended Hegseth as a combat veteran. “Pete Hegseth is someone who’s been shot at in combat,” Miller said. “That’s exactly the type of person that we want leading the DoD.”
Kash Patel’s FBI Nomination Sparks Capitol Hill Debate
Meanwhile, Trump’s nomination of Kash Patel as FBI director—potentially replacing Christopher Wray—has drawn mixed reactions from Senate Republicans.
While figures like Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) voiced support, moderates such as Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) expressed hesitation.
Collins noted Patel’s controversial proposals, including shutting down the FBI’s headquarters and firing its top ranks, as points of concern. “That’s why it’s so important that we have an FBI background check, a committee review with extensive questions and questionnaires, and a public hearing,” Collins said.
Vetting Challenges Ahead
Incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) pledged rigorous scrutiny for all nominees, including Patel. Thune highlighted the importance of resolving disputes between Trump’s transition team and the Department of Justice over FBI background checks for nominees.
With a narrow Republican majority in the Senate, any defection could jeopardize Patel’s confirmation. Thune affirmed his role in ensuring a fair process, saying, “Ultimately, our members are going to decide.”
