Conservatives rally around Hegseth after he posts photo in response to Hillary Clinton

Conservatives on social media were quick to applaud Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth after he clapped back at former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in a viral post over the weekend. Clinton had taken a swipe at Hegseth, suggesting that he was reluctant to upset Russian President Vladimir Putin by ordering Cyber Command to “stand down” on all Russia operations.

In response, Hegseth shared a photo of Clinton smiling alongside Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergei Lavrov in March 2009. In the image, the two are seen holding a “reset” button, symbolizing a reset in relations between the United States and Russia. The post quickly gained traction, garnering over 2 million views on social media.

The post was met with praise from conservatives across various platforms. Department of Defense Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson hailed the post as a win for Hegseth, while Rasmussen Reports and conservative commentator Jack Posobiec also chimed in with their support.

The Trump White House Rapid Response Team’s Greg Price labeled Hegseth as the “Total Secretary W” in response to the post, further highlighting the positive reception from conservative circles.

Hegseth’s post was widely shared and generated over 70,000 likes and 3,000 comments on social media. Despite the overwhelming support from conservatives, Fox News Digital reached out to Clinton’s office for comment on the matter, but no response was provided.

The exchange between Hegseth and Clinton comes amidst heightened political tensions, with Democrats criticizing the Trump administration’s stance on Russia. The recent Oval Office exchange between President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has sparked controversy, with Democrats accusing Trump of aligning with Russia.

In response to the criticism, Trump defended his administration’s priorities, emphasizing the need to focus on issues such as migrant rape gangs, drug lords, and public safety. Trump’s recent posts on Truth Social underscored his commitment to addressing domestic concerns and protecting the country from external threats.

As the political landscape continues to evolve, Hegseth’s bold response to Clinton’s attack has resonated with conservatives, highlighting the ongoing debate surrounding national security and foreign policy. The viral post serves as a reminder of the complex dynamics shaping US-Russia relations and the broader geopolitical landscape.

Andrew Mark Miller is a reporter at Fox News. Connect with him on Twitter @andymarkmiller and share your insights at AndrewMark.Miller@Fox.com.