By — Gabrielle Hays Gabrielle Hays Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-sen-kaine-questions-hegseth-about-infidelity-and-assault-allegation-in-hearing Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter WATCH: Sen. Kaine questions Hegseth about infidelity and assault allegation in hearing Politics Jan 14, 2025 4:10 PM EDT Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., questioned defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth in a confirmation hearing Tuesday held by the Senate Committee on Armed Services. Watch the video in the player above. Kaine asked Hegseth about his infidelities, as well as allegations of sexual assault and domestic violence, and whether or not he had disclosed them to President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team. “You’ve taken an oath, like you would take an oath to be secretary of defense, in all of your weddings to be faithful to your wife. Is that correct?” Kaine asked. Hegseth has been married three times, and has acknowledged he fathered a child out of wedlock. His mother also accused him of abusing women in a 2018 email, though she said later she regretted writing it. “I have failed in things in my life, and thankfully, I’m redeemed by my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” Hegseth said on Tuesday. Hegseth is a military veteran and conservative media personality. Trump’s pick for defense secretary has faced allegations of sexual misconduct and excessive drinking, and been criticized as a nominee for his controversial views on diversity and religion in the military. We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now By — Gabrielle Hays Gabrielle Hays Gabrielle Hays is a Communities Correspondent for the PBS NewsHour out of St. Louis.
Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., questioned defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth in a confirmation hearing Tuesday held by the Senate Committee on Armed Services. Watch the video in the player above. Kaine asked Hegseth about his infidelities, as well as allegations of sexual assault and domestic violence, and whether or not he had disclosed them to President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team. “You’ve taken an oath, like you would take an oath to be secretary of defense, in all of your weddings to be faithful to your wife. Is that correct?” Kaine asked. Hegseth has been married three times, and has acknowledged he fathered a child out of wedlock. His mother also accused him of abusing women in a 2018 email, though she said later she regretted writing it. “I have failed in things in my life, and thankfully, I’m redeemed by my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” Hegseth said on Tuesday. Hegseth is a military veteran and conservative media personality. Trump’s pick for defense secretary has faced allegations of sexual misconduct and excessive drinking, and been criticized as a nominee for his controversial views on diversity and religion in the military. We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now