The attacks against former Fox News host Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's pick to lead the Department of Defense, continue to roll in from opposing, establishment forces.

According to the New York Post, the latest attempt to smear Hegseth reportedly came from West Point, which falsely stated that Hegseth was never accepted into the prestigious military school when, in fact, he was. 

Arkansas Republican Sen. Tom Cotton and Hegseth's attorney, Tim Parlatore, fired off a letter to the superintendent of the military school, slamming it for potentially violating federal privacy laws.

The two also procured evidence of Hegseth's acceptance letter, which confirmed he was invited as a prospective member of the academy in 1999.

What's going on?

The original story regarding Hegseth being rejected reportedly came from a public affairs officer at the school. The story, ran by left-leaning media types, was outright false.

"Not only did Mr. Hegseth apply, but he was accepted as a prospective member of the class of 2003," Parlatore wrote to West Point Superintendent Lt. Gen. Steven Gilland, adding proof of Hegseth's acceptance letter.

Hegseth's attorney added, "The use of false statements to influence or damage a political nominee’s reputation is particularly concerning, as it may interfere with the democratic process and the fair consideration of candidate for public office."

"We understand that ProPublica (the Left Wing hack group) is planning to publish a knowingly false report that I was not accepted to West Point in 1999. Here’s my letter of acceptance signed by West Point Superintendent, Lieutenant General Daniel Christman, US Army," Hegseth wrote in an X post.

We understand that ProPublica (the Left Wing hack group) is planning to publish a knowingly false report that I was not accepted to West Point in 1999.

Here’s my letter of acceptance signed by West Point Superintendent, Lieutenant General Daniel Christman, US Army. pic.twitter.com/UOhOVZSfhJ

— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) December 11, 2024

Sen. Cotton wrote, "Perhaps there’s an honest mistake here, though I can’t imagine what it might be," adding, "But I also can’t imagine this action was authorized or known to the West Point leadership."

West Point responds

The situation sparked major backlash that ultimately forced West Point to respond and correct the record in a statement.

"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 military academy wrote.

"Upon further review of an archived database, employees realized this statement was in error," the rep said. "Hegseth was offered acceptance to West Point as a prospective member of the Class of 2003. The academy takes this situation seriously and apologizes for this administrative error."

They keep trying, but Hegseth keeps fighting. That's who we want running the DoD.