Pete Hegseth under fire in Wall Street Journal editorial.

Tom Williams/CQ Appeal via AP Images

Editorial staff Wall Street Journal passionate about the President-elect Donald Trump this week’s pick for defense secretary, stating that “impulsive nominations may also be withdrawn.” The editorial confirmed the former Fox News host Pete Hegseth he probably didn’t notify Trump’s team that he paid off a woman who accused him of sexual assault in recent years.

“News reports say the impeachment ‘baffled’ Mr. Trump’s transition team, a possible lesson in picking unvetted Cabinet secretaries on a whim,” the Times editorial board wrote. Rupert Murdoch-own publication. Trump’s transition team reportedly refused to conduct an FBI background check before making the nomination, which has long been standard procedure.

The editorial argues that regardless of the facts of the sexual assault accusation against Hegseth, the fact that he may have misled Trump should be disqualifying for someone to command the armed forces.
“Mr. Hegseth denies wrongdoing. However, senators holding next year’s confirmation hearings may also ask what he told Mr. Trump’s transition team regarding the woman’s claim and the legal settlement,” the editorial said, adding:

Whoever leads the Pentagon must have the president’s confidence. If Trump had not been informed of this political responsibility before the nomination was announced, he might reasonably wonder what else Hegseth had not told him.

The editorial then goes into detail about the charges against Hegseth and his legal team’s defense, alleging that the woman participated in a #MeToo-inspired blackmail and extortion scheme.

“What happened in Monterey seven years ago may be impossible to prove or disprove, but even giving Mr. Hegseth the benefit of the doubt raises questions about judgment, including whether he warned the president-elect that it could come across as jaw,” argued the editorial, summarizing:

“Mr. Hegseth vehemently denies all allegations and no charges have been filed,” Trump’s spokesman said. “We look forward to his confirmation as United States Secretary of Defense.”

Perhaps, but the Senate will have further questions, and impulsive nominations may also be withdrawn.

Read the full editorial Here.

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