DNC Official Stuns NewsNation Host With Defense Of Pete Hegseth: He’s A Pretty Good Guy’

Lindy Li, a left-wing political strategist who sits on the Democratic National Committee finance committee, issued a surprising defense of Trump’s defense department nominee Pete Hegseth during an appearance on NewsNation.

Hegseth is currently conducting a whirlwind of meetings with Republican senators as he attempts to fend off unsubstantiated claims against him. Mainstream media outlets have treated unsubstantiated sexual assault claims — which were thoroughly investigated and found to be without merit —  against the War on Terror veteran as if they were facts.

A separate report from NBC News — which cites anonymous sources — claimed that Hegseth drank heavily during his time at Fox News and would go on air while intoxicated. The report has been soundly rejected by dozens of Fox News employees, many of whom have referred to the report as “utter bull**it.”

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On Friday, Li shocked drew the ire of fellow Democrats when she defended Hegseth during her appearance on Morning in America.”I think you were maybe looking for someone to oppose his nomination, but I’ve had personal interactions with—because I’ve been on Fox & Friends—I’ve met Pete, he’s my fellow Princetonian. I actually think he’s a pretty good guy,” Li said.

The response drew a surprised reaction from NewsNation host Markie Martin. “Wow, I was not expecting this from you Lindy,” she said.

“I know, but fair is fair, right? I’m not here to gaslight anybody. I’m just here to present the facts as I know it,” Li went on to say. “I know a lot of people are saying his nomination is in trouble, we’ll see. He’s definitely a fighter. As he told Megyn Kelly, he said Trump told him to be ‘tough as blank,’ and he’s certainly that way.”

A number of Republican senators have expressed “concern” over Hegseth’s nomination, adding that the allegations are “serious.”

Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) has emerged as the public face of opposition to Hegseth, a stance that could jeopardize her political career. According to a report from The Federalist, Ernst has called President-elect Trump on multiple occasions over the past two weeks urging him to drop Hegseth. Ernst is reportedly gunning for the defense secretary position for herself, multiple sources close to President-elect Trump told the outlet.

Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) is also reportedly lobbying the president to replace Hegseth with Ernst.

If the Iowa senator does not get her way, she has threatened to rally female senators to vote against Hegseth’s nomination during confirmation hearings next month, according to the report.

Li described Ernst as the “lynchpin” to determining whether Hegseth will be confirmed or not. “This has never happened before when a nominee’s mom is going there to make the case for her son to say that he’s different, he’s changed, he’s committed to his family, he’s doubled down on his faith,” she said. “I think we should maybe extend a little bit of grace.”

Hegseth has continuously fought back against the smear campaign and has vowed to keep pushing for as long as President-elect Trump wants him to.

“I’m proud of what I fought for. I’m not going to back down from them one bit. I will answer all of these senators’ questions. But this will not be a process tried in the media,” he told reporters on Capitol Hill on Thursday. 

“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 on his behalf 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,” Hegseth added. 

“I’m proud to be here as long as Donald Trump wants me in this fight I’m gonna be standing right here fighting to bring our Pentagon back to what it needs to be.”

Trump has continuously backed Hegseth throughout the smear campaign and urged him to keep pushing in a Truth Social post on Friday. “Pete Hegseth is doing very well. His support is strong and deep, much more so than the Fake News would have you believe,” the president-elect wrote.

“He was a great student – Princeton/Harvard educated – with a Military state of mind. He will be a fantastic, high energy, Secretary of Defense Defense, one who leads with charisma and skill. Pete is a WINNER, and there is nothing that can be done to change that!!!”

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