Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said that allegations against Pete Hegseth of sexual assault and other misconduct, some stemming from his time atop two veterans groups, are “very disturbing” and are making his path to becoming the next Defense secretary more arduous.
The South Carolina Republican said on Tuesday that it remains to be seen if Hegseth will be able to get across the finish line after President-elect Trump tapped him to run the Pentagon.
“I think some of these articles are very disturbing,” Graham told CBS News. “He obviously has a chance to defend himself here, but some of this stuff is going to be difficult.”
“You know, time will tell,” Graham said, noting that he’s known Hegseth for a “very, very long time.”
“Some of the things have to be addressed, and we’ll see,” the senator said.
“Leadership comes from the top. And I want to make sure that every young woman who joins the military feels respected and welcomed,” he added.
According to a report in The New Yorker over the weekend, Hegseth was forced to step down from two veterans organizations prior to his tenure at Fox News due to allegations of financial mismanagement and sexual improprieties, among other things.
The new details arrived weeks after a 2017 sexual assault accusation surfaced. He previously told reporters that the allegation was “fully investigated” and he “was completely cleared.”
