Hamadeh Slams ‘Journalistic Impostors’ Spreading ‘Fake News’ on Hegseth

By Matthew Holloway |

Arizona Congressman Abe Hamadeh (R-AZ-08) voiced his support for Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on Monday, amid reports claiming that Hegseth shared sensitive information regarding military operations in Yemen. Additionally, these reports suggested that President Trump was considering removing Hegseth from his position.

In a statement released as a member of the House Armed Services Committee, Hamadeh affirmed Trump’s confidence in Hegseth, questioning the credibility of news outlets that reported unrest within the Department of Defense. He suggested these reports might be an attempt to undermine national security.

On social media platform X, Hamadeh stated, “As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I have full confidence in @PeteHegseth and his team at DoD.” He added, “The fake news had its sights on him since he was nominated.” This emphasis on Hegseth’s positive contributions reflects Hamadeh’s commitment to supporting the current administration.

Hamadeh also criticized the media for not adhering to President Ronald Reagan’s motto of “trust but verify.” He referenced a New York Times article that relied on anonymous sources, including claims from individuals close to Hegseth, and a similar NPR report, which, according to him, lacked factual integrity.

In a statement from Hamadeh’s office, he called attention to the Biden Administration’s failure to disclose vital information regarding Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s capability to perform his duties. The congressman argued this omission deserved more media coverage, asserting, “Few news outlets reported” on the issue, while criticizing the creation of narratives that could harm national security.

“There is a concerning discourse on social media regarding which opinions should be heard,” Hamadeh stated, emphasizing the impact of misinformation on military morale. He pointed to an increase in military recruitment numbers and troop morale, linking these improvements to Hegseth’s leadership.

In response to the Times’ report, Department of Defense spokesman Sean Parnell denied the allegations against Hegseth, labeling the coverage as a continuation of “Trump-hating media” narratives. He stressed that there was no classified material involved in the reported conversations and continued to express confidence in Hegseth’s effectiveness.

At the annual White House Easter Egg Roll, President Trump commended Hegseth’s performance, referring to the media reports as “fake news” and implying they stemmed from disgruntled former employees.

Addressing the allegations, Hegseth remarked during an interview with Fox News that the media often resorts to using anonymous sources to vilify individuals in positions of authority.

Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.