Pete Hegseth Walks Back Controversial Comments Against Gay People In The Military

Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Defense, on Thursday appeared to walk back past comments criticizing policies that allowed openly gay people to serve in the U.S. military.

Hegseth was approached by reporters following a meeting with Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) on Capitol Hill as he works to shore up support from lawmakers.

“Do you believe that gay people should be allowed to serve in the military?” a reporter asked.

“Yes,” Hegseth responded.

Hegseth, however, declined to address a report by CNN’s KFile detailing his past comments against those policies.

“I don’t feel the need to respond to CNN,” Hegseth said.

In his book “The War on Warriors,” Hegseth, according to CNN, said the Obama administration’s decision to repeal a law that only allowed gay people to serve in the military as long as they kept their sexual orientation secret was a “breach in the wire” that paved the way for more ideological changes in the military.

Hegseth has also previously drawn scrutiny for saying women shouldn’t serve in combat roles. In an interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity, the Army veteran claimed his comments have been “misconstrued.”

“Some of our greatest warriors, our best warriors out there are women,” he said.

The former Fox News host has faced damaging allegations about his past behavior. A New Yorker story published earlier this month said Hegseth was forced to resign from his roles at two veteran groups over accusations of “financial mismanagement, sexual impropriety and personal misconduct.” Hegseth has denied the allegations.

In addition, Hegseth was accused of sexual assault in 2017 but reached a settlement agreement with the woman in 2020. He has denied wrongdoing.

While the onslaught of allegations seemed like it could tank his nomination, Republican lawmakers appear to have decided to look past them, with Trump also expressing confidence in Hegseth.

Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), a combat veteran and sexual assault survivor who previously appeared ambivalent on Hegseth, signaled more openness toward his intended nomination after what she described as “encouraging conversations” following pressure from pro-Trump influencers. Ernst is up for reelection in 2026.

“As I support Pete through this process, I look forward to a fair hearing based on truth, not anonymous sources,” she said.

Hegseth is reportedly set to meet with Trump at the Army-Navy football game on Saturday.