In a television interview, Indiana county council candidate Jaime West accused Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth of drinking whiskey, redirecting a question about whether she would give up beer if elected.
On the Oct. 19 episode of Piers Morgan Uncensored, host Piers Morgan asked West about giving up beer. West responded by alleging that Hegseth was drinking whiskey while overseeing a war she called illegal. Her claim about his drinking is unverified; the description of the war is hers.
At his Jan. 14, 2025, Senate confirmation hearing, Hegseth answered “Absolutely” when asked whether he had already promised that he had stopped drinking and would not drink if confirmed. The Senate Armed Services Committee transcript records his confirmation of that earlier pledge, but says nothing about his current conduct.
West appeared at a candidate forum in Connersville on Oct. 9. She told Morgan she had three beers before the forum, after initially saying one. Her account of the amount is unverified.
At the forum, West answered “Firing all Republicans” when asked what potentially unpopular decision she would make. She closed her appearance by saying, “We have guns too.” The forum also covered county spending, emergency services and data centers.
West is seeking the District 4 seat on the Fayette County Council. Indiana’s general election is Nov. 3.
