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Transition of power
Transition of power
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Pete Hegseth’s mother went on a Fox show to speak positively about her son’s character, stating that he has undergone personal growth and change. This occurred as her son, who worked for the network, was selected as President-elect Donald J. Trump’s pick for defense secretary.
Written by Jennifer S. Forsyth
Reporting news updates from
On Wednesday morning, Penelope Hegseth, the mother of Pete Hegseth, stated that her son had changed since 2018. She had previously sent an email accusing him of mistreating women and lacking integrity and character.
Mrs. Hegseth stated during an interview on "Fox & Friends" that Pete is a transformed individual who has been forgiven and redeemed.
"I hope that today people will have the opportunity to learn more about Pete, especially our female senators. I ask that you listen to him with an open heart and hear the truth about Pete," she expressed, emphasizing that he does not mistreat women.
She made an appearance following The New York Times releasing an email she had written while Mr. Hegseth was going through a difficult divorce from his second wife. In an interview with The Times on Friday, she mentioned that she did not stand by what she had said in that email and had apologized to her son in a subsequent email.
Following accusations of alcohol abuse and mismanagement of nonprofit organizations that were reported in an article by The New Yorker, another incident involving a police complaint emerged. A woman accused Mr. Hegseth of raping her at a political conference in 2017, but no charges were filed after an investigation. Mr. Hegseth’s lawyer, Timothy Parlatore, stated that the encounter was consensual.
The negative consequences of the situation have put Mr. Hegseth’s potential appointment as head of the Defense Department in the upcoming Trump administration at risk. President-elect Donald J. Trump is reportedly considering alternative candidates for the position.
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