Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for defense secretary, said on Wednesday he will not “back down” after new misconduct allegations have caused growing concern among Republican senators who would vote on whether to confirm him.
“I’m doing this for the warfighters, not the warmongers. The Left is afraid of disrupters and change agents. They are afraid of @realDonaldTrump — and me. So they smear w/ fake, anonymous sources & BS stories. They don’t want truth. Our warriors never back down, & neither will I,” Hegseth wrote on X.
As he arrived on Capitol Hill on Wednesday for another day of meetings with Republican lawmakers, Hegseth said he spoke briefly with Trump earlier that morning.
“He said keep going, keep fighting. I’m behind you all the way,” Hegseth told CBS News.
Asked if he’s committed to remaining in the running, Hegseth replied, “Why would I back down? I’ve always been a fighter. I’m here for the war fighters. This is personal and passionate for me.”