President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for secretary of defense, Pete Hegseth, has come under scrutiny for his controversial remarks surrounding the January 6, 2021, US Capitol attack. Hegseth has been accused of justifying the attack and spreading baseless conspiracy theories, including the false claim that the initial break-in was a false flag operation carried out by leftist groups disguised as Trump supporters.
In the aftermath of the riot, Hegseth amplified false claims that the 2020 election was stolen, a narrative that has been linked to inciting the violence at the Capitol that day. His comments have sparked outrage and raised concerns about his stance on national security issues.
