Emails obtained by Breitbart News on Wednesday reveal that The Washington Post’s national security reporter has downplayed Pete Hegseth’s more than 20 awards and commendations earned during his two combat tours. Alex Horton, a national security reporter for The Washington Post, pushed back on Tuesday against Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s description of Hegseth, Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense, as “highly decorated” for his military service.
“Can you help me understand what highly decorated means in this release?” Horton asked Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s staff in response to an op-ed Tuberville wrote praising Hegseth. “Is it the total number of awards or the types of awards that make him highly decorated in the eyes of the Senator?” For “reference,” Horton provided Tuberville’s staff a list of Hegseth’s awards – totaling over 20 – as described by the National Guard Bureau:
Bronze Star Medal x2
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Army Commendation Medal x2
Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal x3
National Defense Service Medal w/Bronze Service Star
Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/ 2 campaign stars
Iraq Campaign Medal w/ 2 campaign stars
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Armed Forces Reserve Medal w/ “M” Device
Army Service Ribbon
Overseas Service Ribbon x2
DCNG Emergency Service Ribbon
NATO Medal
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Combat Infantryman Badge
Expert Infantryman Badge
Breitbart News obtained the full email exchange between Horton and Tuberville’s staff. In the correspondence, Horton, who served in Iraq as an Army infantryman according to his official bio and, thus, should know what a remarkable record Hegseth has, remarked that “nothing here jumps out at me” regarding Pete Hegseth’s extensive service record during the Global War on Terror (GWOT). “The term [highly decorated] is subjective, so I tend to look for less common awards to describe someone that way,” Horton said. “Nothing here jumps out at me for an infantry officer who served in the GWOT era, in terms of quantity or rarity, but maybe the Senator has a different view.”
Tuberville’s staff made his position clear. “Yes, Senator Tuberville considers someone who served two combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and earned two Bronze Stars to be highly decorated,” his staff replied, according to Breitbart. And for the record, Hegseth’s Bronze Star commendations were awarded for exemplary actions under fire.
Hegseth, who has vowed to implement sweeping reforms at the Pentagon—an institution that has failed seven consecutive annual audits—has faced a relentless smear campaign from the mainstream media. This campaign has resurfaced years-old allegations and relied heavily on anonymous sources to attack Hegseth’s character. But dozens of his former colleagues and interviewees at Fox News vouched for him after NBC News, citing “anonymous sources,” claimed he was a hard drinker who often mixed work with pleasure:
“Bullshit. 100 percent bullshit. Actually…horseshit,” “Fox & Friends Weekend cohost Will Cain said on X. “I was not contacted by anyone at @NBCNews. And no one had closer proximity on a continuous basis. Well…maybe @RCamposDuffy since she sat between us!” he said in another post.
“Worth repeating, @NBCNews used “anonymous” sources & unconfirmed stories to smear @PeteHegseth as a drunk on the job & never once asked his FOX & Friends coworkers who sit right next to him??? Don’t forget, @MSNBC started on day one of his nomination by saying he was a known racist/white supremicist – crazy, I know, but again never asking the Hispanic woman who works with him either. I would know if Pete was racist. This is why Americans hate the media & politics. It’s why they voted for Trump who withstood every smear in the book – including being accused of TREASON. Keep fighting, Pete. America is behind you,” his other cohost, Rachel Campos Duffy said.
“I’ve guest co-hosted with him numerous times before. Not once did this happen. Not once have I heard this from others. This is such a disgusting and false smear. It is wrong and malicious,” fellow Fox News host Lisa Marie Boothe said.
“Add me to the list. It’s ridiculous bullshit,” Clay Travis said.
“I’ve co-hosted with Pete and have never experienced anything like what was claimed in this anonymously-sourced report,” another cohost, Guy Benson, said.
“Pete has always been an absolute pro, totally respectful, humble, and kind. Every single time he’s interviewed me, even at 6am ET on a Saturday or Sunday morning, he’s been sharp and totally prepared. This includes 5-6 years of being on F+F with Pete. This story is garbage,” frequent Fox News guest Charlie Kirk said.
Disclaimer: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.