Dozens of veterans and servicemembers who served directly with Pete Hegseth are endorsing the Fox News host as he strives to be confirmed as the next Secretary of Defense, according to exclusive information from the Daily Caller. As Hegseth’s campaign to gain Senate approval gains momentum, 44 veterans who worked alongside him in Guantanamo Bay, Iraq, and Afghanistan have signed a letter of support backing his nomination.
Although prominent figures like Dan Caldwell and Joseph Wade Miller have previously expressed their support for Hegseth, this letter signifies the first time a substantial group of his fellow veterans—including all three of his direct commanders—have publicly attested to his character. “We, the undersigned, served directly with Pete Hegseth in the U.S. military — either in Guantanamo Bay, Iraq, Afghanistan, or in various units. We come from all ranks and different experiences, but have one core thing in common: we FULLY support Pete Hegseth’s nomination to be the next Secretary of Defense,” the letter says.
“His selfless leadership, love of his soldiers, and commitment to the country are unparalleled. And his tireless dedication to those things has never stopped and never wavered. He is the fighter we served with, and the fighter our troops need today,” the letter continued.
NEW: Dozens of veterans and military members who directly served with Pete Hegseth are pushing for the nominee to be confirmed as the next Defense Secretary.
The letter, obtained exclusively by @DailyCaller, here: pic.twitter.com/NnXlFepq66
— Reagan Reese (@reaganreese_) December 10, 2024
After President-elect Donald Trump nominated Hegseth, the Fox News host faced accusations of sexual misconduct and excessive drinking. Recent reports include a 2017 investigation into allegations that Hegseth sexually assaulted a woman, though no charges were filed. Additionally, various media outlets have published stories from anonymous sources claiming that Hegseth struggled with alcohol abuse. The New York Times also obtained and released a 2018 email from Hegseth’s mother, in which she alleged that he had mistreated and belittled women.
However, recent developments have begun to favor Hegseth. Last week, his mother appeared on Fox News to clarify that she had sent the email “in haste” and subsequently apologized, retracting some of her statements. Meanwhile, Hegseth has been actively engaging with Republican lawmakers on Capitol Hill to secure support from those who appear skeptical. The primary focus has been on Iowa Senator Joni Ernst, a combat veteran herself, who has finally decided to support him after indicating for days that she would not, which drew widespread condemnation from MAGA world.
A close family member told the Caller that Hegseth has been overwhelmed with the amount of text messages and emails that he’s been getting directly from military personnel saying they are re-enlisting after hearing he would be leading the Defense Department. “His wife, Jen was just telling me today, the stack of letters at their house each day of people mailing in just saying, like, ‘Hey, we’re with you. I’m reenlisting, or my son is enlisting because of you,’” the close family member told the Caller.
“Pete is a patriot and was an outstanding platoon leader who always led from the front and placed the troops first. He would always listen to the advice of his NCOs, assess the entire situation and then make the best decision possible at that time,” First Sgt. Eric Geressey, who served nearly two years with Hegseth in Iraq, told the outlet.
