A Democratic lawmaker accused Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth of lying to President Donald Trump during a heated congressional hearing on Wednesday.
Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO), a former Army Ranger who served three tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, raised questions about attorney Tim Parlatore and a potential conflict of interest. He pressed Hegseth during a fiery exchange over whether Parlatore was appointed and asking if Parlatore was removed from a White House investigation in 2025. Hegseth denied the accusations, saying he wasn't aware of it, and claimed he was also not removed from the investigation.
"You're not aware of it.That's interesting. Well, is ittrue that Mr. Parlatoredisparaged President Trump?" Crow asked.
Hegseth again said that he wasn't aware of the investigation, smiling and appearing to laugh.
"Is it true that Mr.Parlatore was accused by President Trump and his lawyersof lying?" Crow asked.
Hegseth appeared annoyed by the questions.
"What you're accused of is acute line of questioning that'sgoing nowhere," Hegseth said, referring to Crow's questions as "a stunt."
Crow pushed back on Hegseth's comments.
"Secretary Hegseth, what I'mreally concerned about is youpurport to have unfalteringloyalty to President Trump, andyet you are continuously going..." Crow said.
Hegseth was angry with the comment and interjected Crow's questions.
"Oh you care a lot aboutPresident Trump, don't you? This is a cute, huge waste of your five minutes," Hegseth said.
Crow didn't stand down against the Pentagon chief.
"You are repeatedly going behind President Trump's back, appointing people who he has accused of lying, who the White House has accused of lying. And you are not being honest with President Trump," Crow said.