Rep. Walkinshaw puts all the Pete Hegseth rumours to rest, says he’s ‘embarrassed’ for him
Democrat-leaning United States Representative James Walkinshaw confirms that the real Pete Hegseth is not much different from how he is portrayed on Saturday Night Live by Colin Jost.
A video going viral on social media, including platforms like X (formerly Twitter), shows James Walkinshaw describing Secretary of War Pete Hegseth after being asked how “embarrassing” he finds him. Walkinshaw says he felt “embarrassed” on Hegseth’s behalf, calls him incompetent, and alleges that he cannot speak properly during briefings and needs a script when addressing the press or the nation.
Representative Jame Walkinshaw is “embarrassed” for Pete Hegseth
Recently, Representative Jame Walkinshaw was asked by Meidas Touch to comment on the embarrassment caused by Pete Hegseth, especially regarding his decorum during press conferences. In response, Walkinshaw said that Hegseth exhibited questionable behaviour not only during press conferences but also in classified briefings, where he mostly relies on a script, cannot answer detailed questions, and lacks understanding of strategy.
Walkinshaw’s exact words in this context were, “Not just the press conferences. I’ve seen Pete Hegseth in classified briefings, and I’m embarrassed for him. He can do nothing beyond read the script that’s been given (to) him. He can’t answer detailed questions. He doesn’t understand the strategy, not that there is one. He doesn’t understand the tactical or operational questions. He is in the way, the hell over his head.”
Hegseth recently lashed out at journalists reporting the Iran war
Since the United States started attacking Iran after partnering with Israel, Pete Hegseth has held several press conferences where he discusses the progress of the war, mainly emphasising the achievements of the US military and praising Trump for leading the effort. In these discussions, he has also criticised journalists and news outlets several times, claiming that some of them are trying to portray Trump in a negative light.
Most notably, during a press briefing on March 4, 2026, Hegseth seemingly called out news outlets for over-reporting US soldier deaths in Iran and under-reporting the achievements of the US military and administration in the country. He said, “This is what the fake news misses. We’ve taken control of Iran’s airspace and waterways without boots on the ground, but when a few drones get through or tragic things happen, it’s front-page news. I get it, the press only wants to make the president look bad. The terms of this war will be set by us at every step.”
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