Pete Hegseth's Response To Question About Who He 'Answers To' Is Peak MAGA

Former Fox News host Pete Hegseth—President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for Secretary of Defense—was criticized after he defiantly told reporters that he answers not to the American people, as one might expect, but to Trump himself.

Hegseth faces scrutiny after CNN reported that he paid a woman who accused him of sexual assault in a settlement agreement that included a confidentiality clause.

Hegseth’s attorney has denied the allegations, stating the former Army National Guard officer was never charged criminally or named in any civil lawsuit stemming from the 2017 claim. The revelation blindsided Trump’s team, as Hegseth’s nomination had already been announced.

As he continues his uphill climb to defend his nomination, Hegseth said the following to reporters on Capitol Hill:

"I'm not going to back down one bit. I'm going to answer all of these senators' questions."

“This will not be a process tried in the media. I don’t answer to anyone in this group. None of you, not to that camera at all."

“I answer to President Trump, who received 76 million votes ... and a mandate for change. I answer to the 50 — the 100 senators who are part of this process and those in the committee. And I answer to my Lord and Savior, and my wife and my family.”

You can hear what he said in the video below.

At no point did Hegseth say anything about actually serving the American people or the Constitution—so the fact he was very open about only serving Trump is peak MAGA.

He was swiftly criticized.

Hegseth has stated that he retains Trump’s full support, but by Tuesday evening, reports suggested the president-elect was reconsidering his choice for the prestigious role.

Sources indicate Trump is seriously contemplating Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, his former primary rival, as an alternative for defense secretary. Trump has reportedly told close confidants that appointing DeSantis would be a “big story,” framing it as a way to revive DeSantis’s political standing after their contentious primary battle.

Another contender Trump has mentioned privately is Congressman Michael Waltz of Florida, who is already slated to serve as his national security adviser. Trump has noted that Waltz would likely sail through Senate confirmation. However, those familiar with Trump’s thinking believe DeSantis remains his preferred backup should he ultimately decide to pass on Hegseth.