The Illinois Democrat countered Hegseth's curious refusal to name Russia as the aggressor in the Ukraine war with his own work as a former Fox News host.
Pete Hegseth faces backlash for refusing to call Russia the aggressor in the Ukraine war, despite past Fox News remarks labeling Putin an authoritarian and Moscow's actions an invasion.
The defense secretary was also asked about claims by an ACLU group regarding Guantanamo Bay confinement being “tantamount” to solitary confinement, which goes against the United Nations rules on detaining illegal immigrants. Hegseth called “bulls***” on these accusations.
The UN General Assembly approved a Ukrainian resolution on Feb. 24 condemning Russia's full-scale invasion, with 93 countries voting in favor and 18 against. The U.S., Israel, Hungary, Russia, and Belarus have voted against the resolution.
President Trump told reporters he would speak to Pete Hegseth about his comments on the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the criticism the defense secretary has faced from GOP Sen. Roger Wicker.