Pete Hegseth Calls Out Fox News Journalist Jennifer Griffin in Bizarre Press Conference Showdown

Hegseth used the opportunity to criticize the assembled press for their reporting on leaked intelligence and for failing to adequately praise Trump's actions, which, he argued, received bipartisan support.

"Before I pass to the chairman, because you and I mean specifically you, the press corps, because you cheer against Trump so hard, like in your DNA and in your blood, to cheer against Trump," Hegseth declared. "You want him not to be successful so bad, you have to cheer against the efficacy of the strikes."

As questions rolled in, Hegseth took a moment to launch a personal attack on Griffin, a former Fox News colleague, in an unexpected display at such a public event.

Responding to another reporter, Hegseth remarked, "Nothing that I've seen that suggests that what we didn't hit exactly we wanted to hit in those locations."

"It's about highly enriched-uranium," Griffin replied. "Do you have certainty that all the highly enriched uranium was inside the Fordow Mountain, or some of it, because there were satellite photos that showed more than a dozen trucks there two days in advance. Are you certain none of that highly enriched uranium was moved?"

Hegseth snapped back, "Of course, we're watching every single aspect. But Jennifer, you've been about the worst, the one who misrepresents the most intentionally what the president says."

Caught off guard, Griffin defended herself, stating, "I've reported on the ventilation shafts on Saturday night, and in fact, I was the first to describe the B-2 bombers, the refueling, the entire mission with great accuracy."

"I appreciate you acknowledging that this was the most successful mission based on operational security that this department has done since you've been here and I appreciate that," Hegseth replied.

Another reporter challenged Hegseth, asking why he didn't include female pilots in his acknowledgments of the military mission. Hegseth responded with sarcasm, mocking the concern over gender representation.

"So when I say something like our boys and bombers, see, this is the kind of thing the press does, right?" Hegseth stated. "Of course, the chairman mentioned a female bomber pilot. That's fantastic. She's fantastic, she's a hero. I want more female bomber pilots."

"But when you spin it as, because I say our boys and bombers as a common phrase, I'll keep saying things like that, whether they're men or women," he said. "The obsession with race and gender in this department has changed priorities and we don't do that anymore. We don't play your little games."