Palmetto State News

U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham from South Carolina shared his thoughts after meeting with Pete Hegseth, President Donald Trump's nominee for Secretary of Defense. Graham described the meeting as "very positive, thorough and candid," expressing appreciation for Hegseth's forthrightness.

Graham has known Hegseth for many years, noting their concurrent service in Afghanistan. He praised Hegseth's reputation among his unit and Afghan partners, describing him as "smart, passionate, and loves our men and women in uniform and our country."

Addressing allegations concerning financial management of veterans' organizations and personal misconduct against Hegseth, Graham stated these should only be considered if supported by congressional testimony rather than anonymous sources.

Highlighting his record of supporting presidential cabinet nominees across party lines, Graham emphasized that every president deserves to select their team. He acknowledged that the confirmation process allows for challenging questions but assured that Hegseth would have the opportunity to defend himself without turning the hearing into a spectacle.