Pete Hegseth has made a bizarre statement saying he would not trust Stephen Miller or Marco Rubio with his children as questions continue over the controversial “Double Tap” attack on a Venezuelan drug ship.
In an interview with Katie Miller, the wife of the U.S. homeland security adviser, Hegseth also revealed which Cabinet member he would be most likely to call in an emergency. These comments were made while recording an episode Katie Miller Podcast.
The nervous secretary made the remarks alongside his wife, Jennifer.
“Who do you trust with your children?” the host asked. “It can only be another member of the cabinet.”
Pete Hegseth says Stephen Miller is the person in Trump’s cabinet he feels least comfortable taking care of his children(X)
“I mean, it’s not your husband or Marco. I’m going to believe the vice president. I mean, I’ve known Sean Duffy for years. I’m going to believe him.”
“I would have believed Brooke Rollins or Pam. Tulsi is incredible,” he added, referring to the attorney general and director of national intelligence.
Hegseth was married three times and had seven biological and stepchildren. He has a daughter with his current wife, Jennifer Rauchet, and is a stepfather to her three children.
He also has three children with ex-wife Samantha Deering.
Hegseth also said Miller was the person most likely to call him in an emergency (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)
Although Hegseth mocked Stephen Miller’s nannying abilities, he said the homeland security adviser was the Cabinet member most likely to call him in an emergency.
Miller’s wife smiled and agreed: “One hundred percent.”
“Stephen, you know this is true. You know this is true,” Hegseth jabbed. “There are others on the list, but he’s at the top of the mountain.”
Hegseth’s criticism intensified this week when he cited a beloved children’s character to justify his attack on an alleged Venezuelan drug ship.
Hegseth got in trouble for posting an AI-generated meme about Franklin the Turtle (X/@PeteHegseth)
The attack reportedly came after he told U.S. troops to “kill everyone on the drug ship,” leading the military to bomb the ship. The military attacked the ship a second time when survivors were found clinging to the wreckage.
Hegseth shared an AI-generated image of Franklin the turtle to justify his actions, which was captioned ‘Franklin targets narco-terrorists’“.
The eponymous turtle on the cover is dressed in military uniform and soars over the ocean wielding a rocket launcher.
In the image, an AI-generated Franklin fires a missile at a ship, which bursts into flames.
“For your Christmas wish list,” Hegseth wrote in the post’s caption.
Kids Can Press, which publishes the real Franklin books, described the cartoon character as a “beloved Canadian icon who inspired generations of children and represented kindness, empathy and inclusivity” in a statement slamming Hegseth.
“We strongly condemn any defamatory, violent or unauthorized use of Franklin’s name or image, which directly contradicts these values,” the publisher wrote on X.
