President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for secretary of defense, Pete Hegseth, has come under scrutiny for his controversial remarks surrounding the January 6, 2021, US Capitol attack. Hegseth has been accused of justifying the attack and spreading baseless conspiracy theories, including the false claim that the initial break-in was a false flag operation carried out by leftist groups disguised as Trump supporters.
In the aftermath of the riot, Hegseth amplified false claims that the 2020 election was stolen, a narrative that has been linked to inciting the violence at the Capitol that day. His comments have sparked outrage and raised concerns about his stance on national security issues.
Among Hegseth’s controversial statements are suggestions that US troops should be deployed in response to domestic riots, endorsements of waterboarding as an interrogation tactic, opposition to women serving in combat roles, and criticism of openly gay individuals serving in the military as reflecting a “Marxist” agenda.
Appearing on a podcast hosted by former House Speaker Newt Gingrich just four days after the Capitol riot, Hegseth downplayed the violence, defended the motivations of the rioters, and criticized the media for rejecting claims of a stolen election. He also promoted debunked reports alleging that the riot was instigated by the leftist group Antifa, despite FBI investigations finding no evidence to support this claim.
Hegseth’s statements align with widely debunked conspiracy theories circulating in conservative circles following the Capitol attack. His controversial remarks have drawn criticism and raised questions about his suitability for the role of secretary of defense.
