by Sharon Rondeau
(Dec. 9, 2024) — On Monday evening Fox News host Sean Hannity interviewed President-Elect Donald J. Trump’s nominee for secretary of the Department of Defense Pete Hegseth, the latter’s first since allegations arose of sexual and professional misconduct shortly after his November 12 nomination.
The media immediately began building a case against Hegseth’s fitness for the job and likely confirmation by the U.S. Senate.
In an animated response following Hannity’s introduction, Hegseth said he just met with Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA), who initially appeared hesitant to support Hegseth’s candidacy and was herself floated as a replacement should Hegseth’s nomination fail.
Hegseth added that the “advice and consent” function of the Senate for cabinet nominees is “a real thing” and yielded productive and thought-provoking conversations.
Regarding the allegation of a sexual relationship with an accuser who later filed a police report against him, Hegseth said the incident was “fully investigated” and resulted in an exoneration.
For the last seven years, Hegseth was a “Fox & Friends Weekend” co-host and earlier served as executive director of two veterans’ groups. He is a decorated combat veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan with the Army National Guard, retiring to the Individual Ready Reserve as a major and holds respective degrees from Princeton and Harvard.
“Return the Pentagon to the war fighters” was Hegseth’s first recommendation for the DOD in addition to turning his attention to what he said is a “recruiting crisis.”
“Putting America first” is his focus, Hegseth said, in accordance with Trump’s campaign initiative for both his first and upcoming second term.
The interview spanned five minutes.
In an interview with Newt Gingrich two minutes later, the former Speaker of the House predicted Hegseth would be confirmed.