Rep. Jimmy Gomez got into a heated exchange with CIA Director John Ratcliffe after the Democrat from California asked Trump intel officials if Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was drinking before the Signal group chat fiasco at a House hearing.
“The main person who was involved in this thread that a lot of people want to talk to is Secretary of Defense Hegseth. And a lot of questions were brought up regarding his drinking habits in his confirmation hearing,” Gomez said Wednesday during the hearing, referencing allegations that Hegseth had abused alcohol, including at his previous job. “To your knowledge, do you know whether Pete Hegseth had been drinking before he leaked classified information?”
“I don’t have any knowledge of Secretary Hegseth’s personal habits,” Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard responded.
“Director Ratcliffe, same question. Yes or no?” Gomez asked the CIA chief.
“I think that’s an offensive line of questioning,” Ratcliffe replied. “The answer’s no.”
Angry crosstalk then ensued between the two.
As part of his efforts to make it through a tumultuous nomination process, Hegseth swore he wouldn’t drink “a drop of alcohol” if confirmed by the Senate to lead the Pentagon.
