Fact Check: Senator Jacky Rosen confronts Hegseth over Wilson's role amid rising antisemitic violence.

Fact Check: Senator Jacky Rosen confronts Hegseth over Wilson's role amid rising antisemitic violence

What We Know

During a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on June 18, 2025, Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) confronted Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth regarding his promotion of Kingsley Wilson to the role of Pentagon spokesperson. Senator Rosen criticized Wilson for her history of spreading antisemitic conspiracy theories and pressed Hegseth to dismiss her from her position, which he refused to do. The exchange highlighted concerns over antisemitism within the Department of Defense, especially in light of rising antisemitic violence in the U.S. (source-1).

Senator Rosen has been an active voice against antisemitism, co-sponsoring bipartisan resolutions to condemn antisemitic attacks, such as the one against Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas, in January 2022 (source-2). Her commitment to combating antisemitism is further evidenced by her role as co-chair of the Senate Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism (source-4).

Analysis

The claims made by Senator Rosen during the hearing are substantiated by her previous statements and actions against antisemitism. The confrontation with Hegseth was not only a reflection of her concerns about Wilson's past comments but also indicative of a broader issue regarding the representation of antisemitism within government ranks. Hegseth's defense of Wilson, citing his personal experience working with her, raises questions about accountability in leadership positions, especially when it comes to sensitive topics like antisemitism (source-1).

The context of rising antisemitic violence in the U.S. adds urgency to Rosen's concerns. Reports indicate a significant increase in antisemitic incidents, with the Anti-Defamation League noting thousands of such incidents in recent years (source-2). Hegseth's reluctance to address these issues directly during the hearing could be interpreted as a failure to acknowledge the severity of the situation, further complicating the Department of Defense's stance on antisemitism.

The sources used in this analysis are credible, coming from official Senate releases and reputable news outlets. The video of the exchange provides direct evidence of Rosen's statements and Hegseth's responses, allowing for an accurate depiction of the events (source-1, source-8).

Conclusion

The claim that "Senator Jacky Rosen confronts Hegseth over Wilson's role amid rising antisemitic violence" is True. The evidence from the Senate hearing confirms that Rosen challenged Hegseth regarding his promotion of Wilson, linking it to broader concerns about antisemitism in government. The context of rising antisemitic violence in the U.S. further validates the seriousness of Rosen's confrontation and her ongoing commitment to combating antisemitism.

Fact Check: Senator Jacky Rosen confronts Hegseth over Wilson's role amid rising antisemitic violence.