Greg Kelly Calls for Pete Hegseth to Withdraw as Defense Secretary

Pro-MAGA Newsmax host Greg Kelly, a former Fox News anchor, doubled down on Thursday, reiterating his call for Pete Hegseth to withdraw from consideration as President-elect Donald Trump’s secretary of defense. Kelly made the comments during an interview on his network, where he explained why he believes Hegseth is unfit for the role.

“I think he is the wrong man for the Pentagon,” Kelly stated emphatically. “I think he should not be the defense secretary.” Despite receiving backlash from Trump supporters after making a similar statement earlier in the week, Kelly remained firm in his position.

“I love President Trump, but he’s not infallible,” Kelly explained. “And from time to time, you know, personnel mistakes will be made.” His comments highlight a growing concern among some Trump supporters who question the suitability of certain individuals within the president-elect’s inner circle.

Kelly, who first met Hegseth around 2007 or 2008 while they were both at Fox News, recalled how Hegseth, as an Iraq War veteran, spoke fervently about the war. “He would come as an Iraq War veteran and say what a great thing the Iraq War was and how we were there for all the right reasons and yes, no weapons of mass destruction, but this war is going great,” Kelly said. However, Kelly later came to believe Hegseth’s views were self-serving and politically motivated.

Kelly’s criticism of Hegseth deepened after learning that he had agreed to a settlement with a woman who accused him of sexual assault. “I was once accused of sexual assault, falsely,” Kelly pointed out. “I would never in a billion years pay that person a dime… That sounds like somebody who’s blackmailable.”

Host Katrina Szish also questioned Hegseth’s actions, asking, “It’s one thing if you didn’t do anything, well then why would you agree to pay?”

Kelly responded, “I keep hearing, well, he’s a changed man, but if he was innocent, what does he have to change from? So there’s a discrepancy here.” He continued, suggesting that Hegseth’s actions pointed to an underlying desire for power. “I think he’s addicted to power and prestige.”

With his continued criticism, Kelly’s remarks further cast doubt on Hegseth’s potential role as defense secretary in the Trump administration.