Former Fox News host Pete Hegseth is fighting every day against a relentless wave of attacks from establishment Republicans, most Democrats, and the mainstream media after being selected as President-elect Donald Trump's Defense Secretary.

According to the Daily Mail, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) announced this week that after talking to Hegseth, he said the former Fox News host will release a woman from a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) who accused Hegseth of sexual misconduct. 

Graham said for him, it would be an important step in the right direction for the woman to be able to tell her side of the story before he gives Hegseth a "yes" confirmation vote.

Hegseth has spent weeks talking with lawmakers on Capitol Hill in an effort to assure them that Trump made the best decision when selecting him for the ultra-important, high-level job.

What's going on?

Graham and some other Republicans have taken flak from Trump's supporters in recent weeks for not getting on board with agreeing to confirm Trump's DoD secretary pick.

"I would want to know if anybody nominated for a high-level job in Washington legitimately assaulted somebody," Graham said this week when announcing Hegseth would release the NDA.

"I'm in a good place with Pete, unless something I don't know about comes out," Graham said.

Daily Mail noted:

But his nomination has been hampered by accusations of sexual misconduct, alcohol abuse and financial mismanagement.

Soon after his nomination was announced, it came to light he had paid off a woman who accused him of sexual assault at a hotel in 2017.

Hegseth has denied all allegations set against him and said the encounter was consensual. He was never charged with any crimes in the matter.

Daily Mail added:

Earlier this month, Hegseth's lawyer Timothy Parlatore told CNN he believed Hegseth's accuser had already breached the agreement and said she should be prepared to be sued for defamation. He called her accusations 'false statements.'

Social media reacts

Graham has taken an absolute beating from many conservatives over his hesitance in backing Hegseth. Many high-profile conservative activists have threatened to dedicate all resources to primary Graham if he doesn't get on board.

Let me be clear to EVERY REPUBLICAN SENATOR.

If you vote NO on Pete Hegseth, YOUR CAREER IS DONE…

pic.twitter.com/tPGAcirf0E

— Graham Allen (@GrahamAllen_1) December 5, 2024

"AMERICA VOTED FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP PICKS, AGENDA. NOT THE RINOS," one X user added.

Another X user wrote, "Please keep telling them. They need to know we are totally serious about removing them from office."