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Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Virginia, subpoenaed defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth’s daughter during a heated hearing, sparking a backlash from conservatives on social media who say the remarks crossed a line.
“So you think you’re completely exonerated because you didn’t commit a crime?” the former vice presidential candidate told Hegseth during his Senate confirmation hearing on Tuesday.
“That is your definition of innocence. You just had a child two months ago with a woman who is not your wife. I am shocked that you would stand here and say you are completely innocent. “How can you cheat on your second wife so casually?” Even though you cheated on the mother of your child who was born two months ago, are you saying that you are completely cleared?
Kane had previously commented on Hegseth’s behavior in their previous marriage, including an incident in Monterey, California, in October 2017 in which Hegseth was accused of sexual assault. Hegseth, a former Fox News host, was later cleared of any wrongdoing following an investigation, but has since said the incident was consensual. The suspect was “thoroughly investigated and cleared completely.”
Pete Hegseth plans to head to Capitol Hill for fiery hearing on his record and shake up the Pentagon
Sen. Tim Kaine and Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth at their Senate confirmation hearing. (Getty Images)
“Senator, her child’s name is Gwendolyn Hope Hegseth. She is a child of God,” Hegseth replied. “She’s 7 years old, but I’m glad she’s here.”
“And you betrayed the child’s mother,” Kane replied. “It was less than two months after that girl was born, right?”
Mr Hegseth told Mr Kane these were “false charges” and reiterated that he was “completely innocent” and “grateful” to be married to the “amazing woman” behind the charges.
Kane insisted, “You admitted that you had sex at that hotel in October 2017. You said it was consensual. Is that correct?”
Hegseth was an “incredibly talented and battle-proven leader,” military review says.
Pete Hegseth gestures during his Senate Armed Services Committee confirmation hearing. (Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)
The two continued to go back and forth about the veracity of the allegations against Hegseth, with Kane pressing the candidate on whether he would keep his marriage vows.
“Let your words speak for themselves,” Hegseth said at one point.
“As I acknowledge to everyone on this committee, I’m not a perfect person, and I don’t claim to be,” Hegseth said, before being interrupted by Kaine, who provided information about the charges. Mr. Hegseth was accused of concealing the facts. When it came under scrutiny by the Trump team.
Kane ultimately decided to question Hegseth about his involvement with alcohol and other allegations that Hegseth dismissed as “false.”
Conservatives on social media joined Sen. Mark Wayne Mullin (R-Okla.) at another point in the hearing to object to a line of questioning by Ms. Kaine, specifically citing Ms. Hegseth’s daughter. .
“Sen. Tim Kaine really did a despicable attempt to use Pete Hegseth’s 7-year-old daughter against him,” conservative commentator Drew Hernandez wrote on X.
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Senator Tim Kaine (Getty Images)
“Saronic alert: Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) is about to lecture Pete Hegseth about infidelity,” The First TV posted on X. “It reminds me of Tim Kaine’s failed presidential bid with Bill Clinton’s legal wife Hillary Clinton.”
“Tim Kaine has a lot to say about Pete Hegseth’s conduct during their marriage,” Will Chamberlain, senior advisor for the Article III project, posted on X. “This is Tim Kaine campaigning with Doug Emhoff. Doug Emhoff impregnated his nanny during their marriage and forced her to give birth.” Abortion. ”
Fox News Digital reached out to Kaine’s office for comment, but did not immediately receive a response.
Fox News Digital’s Breanne Deppisch contributed to this report
Andrew Mark Miller is a reporter for FOX News. Find him on Twitter @andymarkmiller and email your tips to AndrewMark.Miller@Fox.com.
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