GOP Senator Dismisses Pete Hegseth Concerns: That’s Not A ‘Drinking Problem’

Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) brushed aside concerns surrounding Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump’s embattled defense secretary pick, amid reports about the former Fox News host’s excessive alcohol use.

“Jake, that wasn’t him saying he had an alcohol problem, that was him being honest,” Mullin told CNN’s Jake Tapper in an interview on Sunday.

Mullin reacted to a 2021 clip of Hegseth opening up to “The Will Cain Show” about his struggles with alcohol after returning from military deployment in Iraq.

“I look around at 10 o’clock, I’d be like, what am I going to do today? How about I drink some beers?… And one beers leads to many, leads to self-medication, leads to, ‘I’ve earned this. Like, what are you — don’t tell me I can’t,’” said Hegseth, a former Army National Guard officer.

Tapper, who earlier in his show aired a recent clip of Hegseth claiming he’s never had a “drinking problem,” said the defense secretary pick is describing just that in the 2021 clip.

“How do you reconcile that now claiming that he’s never had an issue with alcohol?” Tapper asked.

Trump’s choice of Hegseth has sparked skepticism among a number of Mullin’s GOP colleagues as the former Fox News host faces mounting criticism amid allegations of sexual misconduct and financial mismanagement.

He has denied any wrongdoing.

Mullin declared that Hegseth’s remarks in the 2021 clip are a description of what most combat veterans have faced with alcohol.

“And I think it’s hypocritical for them to even question that. Now, if he did have a drinking problem that would be obvious. But to make something out of it that isn’t there just because he’s going through secretary of defense, the media should be ashamed of themselves,” he said.

Tapper told Mullin that he’s done “a lot” of coverage of veterans and combat, adding that while he’s never worn a military uniform, he sees an “understanding of the need of our valiant troops when they come home to self-medicate.”

“What I’m saying is when you’re talking about drinking at 10 in the morning, that’s a drinking problem,” Tapper said. “Now it doesn’t mean that there should be a stigma —.”

Mullin argued that there’s “a lot of politicians” and “probably a lot” of members of the media who have issues with alcohol consumption before Tapper chimed back in.

“A drunk reporter who’s drinking at 10 a.m. for whatever reason, is not in charge of three million-person defense department,” he said.

“And so there is a difference.”

H/T: Mediaite