Sin. Tim KaineThe Virginia Democrat cited Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth's daughter during a heated hearing, drawing backlash from conservatives on social media who argued the comments went too far.
“Do you think you've been completely exonerated because you didn't commit any crime?'” the former vice presidential nominee told Hegseth during his Senate confirmation hearing on Tuesday.
“This is your definition of innocence. You gave birth to a child two months ago with a woman who is not your wife. I am shocked that you stand here and say that you are completely innocent. Can you so casually betray a second wife? And deceive the mother of the child who was born two months ago and tell us that you are completely innocent?”
Kane has been commenting on Hegseth's behavior in previous marriages, including an October 2017 incident in Monterey, California, where Hegseth was accused of sexual assault. Hegseth, a former Fox News anchor, was cleared of any wrongdoing after an investigation, and has since described the incident as consensual. “I was fully investigated and fully exonerated,” he said of the allegation.
Pete Hegseth heads to Capitol Hill for heated hearing on his record, plans to shake up the Pentagon
Senator Tim Kaine and Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth at their Senate confirmation hearing. (Getty Images)
“Senator, her baby's name is Gwendolyn Hope Hegseth, and she is a child of God,” Hegseth responded. “She's 7 years old, and I'm happy to have her here.”
““I fooled that child's mother,” Ken replied. “Less than two months after that daughter was born, right?”
Hegseth told Kane that these were “false accusations” and stressed that he was “fully exonerated” and “grateful” to be married to the “wonderful woman” behind him.
Ken insisted: “You admitted you had sex in that hotel in October 2017. You said it was consensual. Isn't that true?”
Military evaluation showed that Hegseth was “an incredibly talented, battle-tested leader.”
Pete Hegseth nods during his Senate Armed Services Committee confirmation hearing. (Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)
The two continued to go back and forth over the veracity of the allegations against Hegseth, with Kane pressing the nominee on whether he would honor his marriage vows.
“I'll let your words speak for themselves,” Hegseth said at one point.
“As I have admitted to everyone on this committee, I am not a perfect person. “I'm not claiming that,” Hegseth said before being interrupted by Kaine, who accused Hegseth of withholding information about the accusation when he was vetted by Trump's team.
Keane eventually moved on to question Hegseth about his drinking relationship and other allegations, which Hegseth dismissed as “false.”
Conservatives on social networking sites With Senator Markwayne MullenThe Oklahoma Republican, at another point in the hearing, objected to Kane's questioning style, particularly the subpoena of Hegseth's daughter.
“Senator Tim Kaine has already tried to use Pete Hegseth's 7-year-old daughter against him, which is despicable,” conservative commentator Drew Hernandez said. Published on X.
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You. Tim Kaine (Getty Images)
“Ridiculous alert: Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) tries to lecture Pete Hegseth about adultery,” The First TV Published on X. “We remember that Tim Kaine ran in the same failed presidential election as Hillary Clinton, the legal wife of Bill Clinton.”
“Tim Kaine has a lot to say about Pete Hegseth's behavior during his marriage,” Article III Project Senior Advisor Will Chamberlain said. Published on X. “Here's Tim Kaine campaigning with Doug Emhoff, who — while married — impregnated his nanny and forced her to have an abortion.”
Fox News Digital reached out to Kaine's office for comment but did not immediately receive a response.
Fox News Digital's Brian Depesch contributed to this report
