Hegseth: I Don’t Answer to Anyone But Trump, Senate, His Wife, and Jesus Christ
Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News host and President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense, is standing firm despite facing intense scrutiny.
Speaking with reporters on Capitol Hill, Hegseth made it clear where his loyalties lie, stating, “I only answer to President Trump, the Senate, my wife, and Jesus Christ.”
Hegseth has been dogged by past allegations of sexual misconduct and alcohol abuse, which he has categorically denied. Nonetheless, these claims have raised concerns among some lawmakers, including Republican Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa, who has expressed reservations about his confirmation.
After holding private discussions with senators, Hegseth addressed the media, emphasizing his faith and personal transformation.
When asked if the issue of alcohol had come up during his meetings, Hegseth responded, “We’ve had great conversations about who I am and what I believe. And frankly, the man I am today is because of my faith in my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and my incredible wife, Jenny, right here. I’m a different man than I was years ago. And that’s a redemption story that I think resonates with many Americans, especially veterans.”
Reflecting on his military service and advocacy work, he continued, “You fight. You go do tough things in tough places on behalf of your country. And sometimes that changes you a little bit. By the grace of God, I’ve had the opportunity to rise above it and do great things with veterans’ organizations, advocate for reforms at the VA, and fight for warfighters on Fox News. I’m proud of what I’ve stood for, and I’m not backing down.”
Hegseth further asserted his commitment to the confirmation process, stating, “I will answer all of these senators’ questions. But this will not be a trial by media. I don’t answer to anyone in this room or to that camera. I answer to President Trump, who received 76 million votes and a mandate for change. I answer to the 100 senators involved in this process, and I answer to my Lord, my wife, and my family. As long as President Trump wants me in this fight, I’ll be here, standing strong to restore our Pentagon to what it should be.”
Hegseth has received endorsements from several key Republican senators, bolstering his position despite skepticism from some members of his own party.
Alabama Senator Katie Boyd Britt voiced her support after meeting with Hegseth, praising his alignment with Trump’s vision of “peace through strength.”
“He is dedicated to ensuring our warfighters have the tools they need and refocusing the Pentagon on its core mission of lethality,” Britt wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “We also discussed the critical role Alabama plays in our national defense.”
She added, “I asked direct questions about the allegations reported in the media, and Pete answered with candor and transparency. Based on our meeting, he has my full support.”
Other senators have also rallied behind Hegseth. North Dakota’s Kevin Cramer, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, expressed his confidence in the nominee, while Tennessee’s Bill Hagerty voiced his backing during a CNN interview, offering a significant boost to Hegseth’s embattled candidacy.
Despite the controversy, Hegseth has made it clear he has no intention of withdrawing. “I’m staying in this fight,” he said, reiterating his commitment to Trump’s agenda and to reshaping the Defense Department.