Hegseth laughs off antisemitism accusations from Jacky Rosen over ‘Pharisee’ comments

Published April 30, 2026 3:06pm ET | Updated April 30, 2026 3:06pm ET



War Secretary Pete Hegseth laughed off accusations of antisemitism leveled by Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV), who objected to his labeling of opponents as “Pharisees.”

During Hegseth’s testimony to the Senate Armed Services Committee, Rosen pressed him on his use of the term “Pharisee” as an insult, a word referring to the Second Temple era Jewish establishment sect best known for their opposition to Jesus Christ.

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