Pete Hegseth is firing back at a Fox News journalist after she shared a letter from Congress questioning the steep costs of repairs on his government-provided home.

The controversy erupted when Jennifer Griffin, Fox News’ national security correspondent, posted details about the $130,000 maintenance bill, which included a staggering $49,000 for an “emergency” paint job.

Hegseth, who serves as the U.S. Secretary of Defense, wasted no time in responding.

Calling the report “fake news,” he accused Griffin of bias, suggesting that she and congressional Democrats were working in lockstep against him.

Defending the Price Tag

In his response on X, formerly Twitter, Hegseth dismissed the backlash, arguing that the repairs were standard and not specific to him.

“Any and all house repairs were going to happen no matter who was moving in—and were all initiated by DoD,” he wrote.

He also took a swipe at Griffin, claiming she “hates Trump” and isn’t concerned with facts.

Hegseth further suggested that the outrage over the renovations was nothing more than political theater orchestrated by Democrats.

Questions from Congress

Hegseth’s decision to live in the government-provided home has raised eyebrows, as many defense secretaries in the past have chosen private housing.

His predecessor, Lloyd Austin, lived in his own home in Great Falls, Virginia, avoiding such scrutiny.

With Hegseth opting for government housing, lawmakers are now demanding answers.

Why does he need this residence? Why is it undergoing such extensive renovations? And how much rent is he personally paying?

In a letter sent on February 7, members of the House Appropriations Committee highlighted concerns about military families living in subpar conditions while Hegseth’s home receives costly upgrades.

“Many service members and their families currently live in unacceptable housing conditions, including houses with mold, lead paint, and other hazards,” the letter stated.

“What commitment will you make to provide service members with a similarly high quality of housing for themselves and their families?”

With a reported annual salary of $246,000—plus millions from his time as a Fox News host—Democrats are pressing for an explanation.

They expect Hegseth to respond by February 21.

The Bigger Picture: Government Spending Under the Microscope

This issue isn’t just about home repairs—it’s part of a broader push by President Donald Trump and Elon Musk to rein in federal spending.

The two have been leading a campaign to cut costs across the government, including placing thousands of federal employees on administrative leave.

As part of this effort, Musk has been tapped to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a newly formed agency aimed at slashing wasteful spending.

Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy is also involved, working with Musk to identify areas where taxpayer money is being squandered.

Eye-Opening Examples of Waste

The push for spending cuts comes amid revelations about bizarre and costly government-funded projects.

House DOGE Caucus Co-Chair Aaron Bean recently called out some of the most shocking cases of waste, including a nearly $1 million study that tested cocaine’s effects on birds.

Other examples include:

$2.3 million for the NIH to inject dogs with cocaine
$6.9 million on “smart toilets” that recognize users based on their “anal print”
$118,000 to study whether a metal replica of Marvel’s Thanos could actually snap its fingers
$10,000 for an ice-skating drag queen event
$12 million on a pickleball complex in Las Vegas

With these expenditures coming under scrutiny, Hegseth’s home renovation costs are now part of a larger debate on where taxpayer money should be going.

What Happens Next?

As the deadline for Hegseth’s response approaches, the controversy continues to build.

Will he provide a detailed justification for the home repairs, or will this remain a flashpoint in the ongoing battle over government spending?

One thing is clear—this issue isn’t going away anytime soon.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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