Pete Hegseth’s attorney, Senator Cotton, criticized West Point for sharing false information about defendants’ selection in a potential privacy violation.

According to letters obtained exclusively by The Post, Pete Hegseth’s attorney and Senator Tom Cotton criticized West Point on Wednesday for falsely claiming that the defense secretary-designate was never accepted into the nation’s top military academy — which That is a potential violation of federal privacy laws.

Attorneys Tim Parlatore and Cotton (R-Ark.) wrote two letters to the superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy, expressing concern that a public affairs officer shared “false information” with a reporter about President-elect Donald Trump. Could block the defense. By confirmation.

“Mr. Hegseth not only applied, but he was accepted as a prospective member of the Class of 2003,” Parlatore said in a letter to West Point Superintendent Lt. Gen. Steven Gilland, a copy of which was later disclosed. Tweeted by their customer Offered admission in 1999.

“The use of false statements to influence or damage a political candidate’s reputation is particularly worrisome, as it can interfere with the democratic process and the fair consideration of a candidate for public office,” he said.

Cotton claimed that West Point’s civilian press representative, Theresa Brinkerhoff, also “showed extremely poor judgment in sharing such information about the nominee for Secretary of Defense with a known liberal outlet like ProPublica,” claiming that The reporter at the outlet was preparing for “A”. Outrageous hit piece.

“There’s probably an honest mistake here, although I can’t imagine what it might be,” the Arkansas Republican said. “But I also cannot imagine that this action was authorized or known to West Point leadership.”

A West Point spokesperson later told The Post, “Our review of records indicates that Peter Hegseth was offered admission to West Point in 1999, but did not attend. A false statement related to Hegseth’s admission to the U.S. Military Academy was issued by an employee on December 10, 2024.

“Upon further review of the archived database, staff realized this statement was in error,” the representative said. “Hegseth was offered acceptance to West Point as a prospective member of the Class of 2003. The Academy takes this situation seriously and apologizes for this administrative error.”

The investigative nonprofit ProPublica, which bills itself as “nonpartisan, careful and independent,” was reporting an article on Hegseth’s ties to West Point when it received a false statement from the prestigious academy. The story never ran after the publication eventually obtained a copy of Hegseth’s admission letter.

“So: No, we’re not publishing a story,” ProPublica editor Jesse Eisinger X Posted in a long thread on Wednesday. “This is how journalism should work. Listen to something. Check something. Repeat steps 1 and 2 as many times as necessary. Ending.”

Both Parlatore and Cotton called for a thorough investigation of the matter and said that West Point’s actions may have violated the Privacy Act of 1974, which prohibits federal agencies from disclosing personnel records without the individual’s explicit consent.

The only exceptions to the law include records that are sought by law enforcement or sought through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request – according to Parltor, neither of these apply here.

Technically, all West Point records are under the purview of the Department of the Army at the Pentagon, which Hegseth, an Army war vet, would oversee if a Senate majority confirms him in the 119th Congress.

In addition to the “reputational damage,” Parlatore said, a potential criminal investigation could also “undermine public confidence” in the U.S. military.

“In light of these concerns, I urge you to thoroughly investigate this matter and take appropriate corrective action to prevent future violations. As a fellow service academies graduate, I’m sure we both agree that it is imperative that our service academies maintain the highest standards of confidentiality, accuracy and integrity in their communications.

Making a false statement with intent to mislead as an executive branch employee is punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine.

The lawyer’s letter sent to the U.S. Military Academy shows that Hegseth was accepted for admission to the U.S. Military Academy in January 1999 – but he chose to enroll at Princeton University later that year.

The future Defense nominee served in the Ivy League school’s ROTC program and graduated in 2003, serving for nearly two decades in the Minnesota National Guard and Army National Guard and eventually reaching the rank of major.

He served in three positions – including as a platoon leader during the Iraq War and as a teacher of counter-insurgency tactics in Afghanistan – and was awarded two Bronze Star Medals.

Hegseth, 44, has rejected other allegations from unnamed former associates Being ousted from veterans groups led by him For excessive drinking and sexual impropriety between 2007 and 2016 – although those who worked with him have rejected the allegations. as untrue in its entirety,

Parlatore disputed other allegations of sexual assault in 2017, pointing to contradictory police reports from the accuser – who he believes did Other false claims of malpractice Against any other person.

Hegseth’s confirmation stalled for weeks as Republican senators expressed reservations about “concerning” allegations against the defense appointee — but Trump, 78, refused to back down,

“Pete Hegseth is doing great. “His support is strong and deep, much more than fake news would have you believe,” the once-and-would-be president wrote on Truth Social last week, dismissing reports that he was reconsidering his choice.

“He was a great student – ​​Princeton/Harvard educated – with a military mindset. He will be a brilliant, energetic, Secretary of Defense,” he said, predicting that the former Fox News personality will be “someone who leads with charisma and skill.”

“Pete is a winner, and nothing can be done to change that!!!” He crowed.

Senator Joni Ernst, a rape survivor, was the only Republican who indicated that she was not prepared to vote “yes” on Hegseth’s confirmation, but agreed to the Pentagon nomination after private discussion.

“After our encouraging conversation, Pete committed to completing a full audit of the Pentagon and selecting a senior official who will uphold the roles and values ​​of our servicemen and women – based on quality and standards, not based on quotas.” “No – and that will set and solidify my priorities.” Work to stop sexual harassment within the ranks,” Ernst (R-Iowa) said.

All it would take is four GOP senators to vote “no” to torpedo Trump’s nominee.