So Pete Hegseth’s personal security guard has a “dark episode in his past.” You’re probably thinking, “OK, and?” But The New York Times wants you to know that you should be shocked and appalled.
The guard, an Army ex-special forces master sergeant named John Jacob Hasenbein, left the military after a 2019 incident where he roughed up an Iraqi-American “civilian role player” in a training exercise that went a bit too far. The incident led to a courtroom circus and an eventual mistrial, after which Hasenbein decided to just cut his losses and retire. He then went into private security, which is how he eventually linked up with Hegseth.
Alright, let’s assume all the accusations are true on the merits, that the alleged beating was egregiously criminal and not misrepresented by a woke military tribunal looking to make an example of toxic white male masculinity against an oppressed minority. That’s a big if. But even so, why should I care if he’s now working personal security? (Stream the Daily Caller’s ‘Demand For Hate’ documentary HERE)
If anything, it’s a good thing. If I’m in Pete’s position, a high profile federal nominee in the media crosshairs at a time when assassination attempts are making a comeback, I’d want my security guard to have some mad dog energy coursing through his veins. Besides, I didn’t realize we’re now in the business in answering for the sins of everyone in our employ. If that’s the case, most of D.C. should probably resign in shame.
WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 05: U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth arrives to meet with lawmakers on Capitol Hill on December 5, 2024 in Washington, DC. Hegseth continues to meet with Senate Republicans on Capitol Hill as new allegations of alcohol abuse have emerged. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Anyway, what Hasenbein allegedly did isn’t even that bad. So maybe he went a little too far: “a broken nose, a broken tooth, a sprained shoulder, a scalp hematoma and blunt facial trauma,” isn’t great. But he didn’t kill the guy. He didn’t render him incapacitated for the rest of his life, destroy his family or livelihood. He’s no traitor to his country. And of course, his guilty verdict was overturned and he still maintains his innocence.
“This is one of the most grotesque excuses for journalism I have seen,” Hegseth’s attorney Timothy Parlatore told the Daily Caller. The “desire [of the journalists responsible] to attack Pete Hegseth have blinded them to basic facts. It was like pulling teeth trying to force them to do even basic fact checking, which they clearly have failed to do. MSG Hasenbein served his country honorably, was a victim of the military justice system but overcame to retire honorably. Pete Hegseth is proud to work with this hero.”
The Times is all for giving criminals a second a chance if they check the right identity boxes. But for an Army vet with two Bronze Stars who can be linked to the latest persona non grata in Trump’s orbit, there’s little chance for redemption.
