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A key senator on the Armed Services Committee says he supports the president donald Trump’s Defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth has dismissed “anonymous sources with ulterior motives” who have cast doubt on his character.
Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker, R-Miss., criticized recent reports of classified briefings in a statement Wednesday. FBI background check Hegseth’s statement is “completely inaccurate.”
“It is disturbing that the sensitive and long-running process used by committee leadership to vet presidential personnel is being litigated in the media by anonymous sources with ulterior motives,” Wicker said, adding that he had received information about the FBI’s Three separate detailed briefings on background checks.
Wicker was responding to a CNN report that cited two people familiar with the matter as saying that Hegseth’s ex-wife, Samantha Hegseth, told the FBI The FBI issued a statement regarding Hegseth’s alleged alcohol abuse. The outlet said one of the sources said Samantha Hegseth told the FBI that “he was drinking more than he was not drinking.”
Haygers lawyer slams ex-sister-in-law’s ‘flawed and questionable affidavit’
President Donald Trump’s pick to serve as defense secretary, Pete Hegseth (left), shakes hands with Chairman Roger Wicker, R-Mississippi. Following a Senate Armed Services Committee confirmation hearing at the Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Wick said he would continue Side with Hegseth.
“After this thorough review, I firmly believe that nominee Mr. Hegseth is ready to be the next Secretary of Defense and that the allegations that unfairly call into question his character have not passed muster,” the senator said.
Pete Hegseth attends his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at the Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)
Wicker said Hegseth has Trump’s trust and the support of Senate Republicans and called on the Senate to confirm the nominee “as quickly as possible” during this “precarious national security moment.”
‘Desperate attempt’: Senators receive affidavit on allegations of Hegseth’s previous marriage
Hegers faced controversy throughout his creative career Nomination process.
On Tuesday, Fox News obtained an affidavit from Hegseth’s former sister-in-law, Danielle Hegseth, who said Hegseth had a drinking problem that sometimes made his ex-wife, Samantha, fear for her safety. Danielle Hegseth is married to Pete Hegseth’s brother. She is not the sister of Pete Hegseth’s second wife, Samantha.
But Danielle Hegseth added that she herself never witnessed Pete engaging in any physical or sexual abuse of Samantha.
Samantha Hegseth also denied any physical abuse in a statement first reported by NBC News.
She reportedly said: “There was no physical abuse that occurred in my marriage. This is the only further statement I make to you. I have let you know that I do not and will not speak about my marriage to Pete. Please respect that.” Decision.” said.
Fox News Digital’s Julia Johnson and Fox News’ Taylor Olson, Kelly Fares and Daniel Scully contributed to this report.
