Pete Hegseth says he hasn’t heard from West Point since employee ‘error’ denying his acceptance
In a surprising turn of events, it has been nearly a week since the United States Military Academy West Point admitted an error in their handling of Pete Hegseth’s application. The former Fox News host and President-elect Donald Trump’s Department of Defense secretary pick has revealed that he has yet to hear directly from the school regarding the mistake.
“I would just say I haven’t heard from West Point,” Hegseth stated in an interview on Tuesday. “Nothing.” When asked if he would like a direct apology from the school, he responded, “One would think.”
ProPublica senior editor and reporter Jesse Eisinger had previously stated that West Point informed them twice that Hegseth had not applied for admission and therefore was never accepted. However, Hegseth clarified that he did apply to West Point and was accepted in 1999, although he never ended up attending the academy.
Hegseth provided ProPublica with his original acceptance letter to West Point, prompting the school to acknowledge their mistake. In a statement, West Point admitted, “A review of our records indicates Peter Hegseth was offered admission to West Point in 1999 but did not attend. An incorrect statement involving Hegseth’s admission to the U.S. Military Academy was released by an employee on Dec. 10, 2024.”
The school further apologized for the administrative error and acknowledged that Hegseth was offered acceptance to West Point as a prospective member of the Class of 2003. Despite the school’s admission of fault, Hegseth’s acceptance letter was shared publicly to refute any false claims made against him.
The error made by West Point has raised concerns among Republicans, with Senator Tom Cotton and Rep. Jim Banks demanding answers on how the mistake occurred. Senator Cotton wrote a letter to West Point Superintendent Lieutenant General Steven Gilland, expressing his disapproval of the misinformation shared with ProPublica and emphasizing the importance of protecting Hegseth’s privacy rights.
As Hegseth continues his efforts to secure confirmation as Trump’s secretary of Defense for 2025, the school’s mishap has certainly added a layer of complexity to the situation. While West Point has yet to provide further comment on the matter, it is clear that the controversy surrounding Hegseth’s application remains unresolved.
Julia Johnson, a politics writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business, is leading the coverage of the U.S. Senate. Her reporting on this developing story can be followed on X at @JuliaaJohnson_, and any tips or information can be sent to Julia.Johnson@fox.com.
