Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., referenced Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth’s daughter during a heated hearing, prompting backlash from conservatives on social media who argued the comments crossed a line.

“So you think you’re completely exonerated because you didn’t commit a crime?” the former vice presidential candidate told Hegseth during his Senate confirmation hearing on Tuesday.

“That’s your definition of acquitted.” You had just fathered a child two months ago by a woman who was not your wife. I’m shocked that you would stand here and say that you are completely exonerated. Can you cheat on a second wife so casually? and defrauding the mother of a child born two months earlier. And you tell us that you are completely acquitted?

Kaine spoke out about Hegseth’s behavior in previous marriages, including an October 2017 incident in Monterey, California in which Hegseth was accused of sexual assault. Hegseth, a former Fox News host, was later cleared of wrongdoing following an investigation and has since described the incident as consensual. “I was fully investigated and completely acquitted,” he said of the charge.

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“Senator, your child’s name is Gwendolyn Hope Hegseth, and she is a child of God,” Hegseth replied. “She’s 7 years old and I’m glad she’s here.”

“And you betrayed this child’s mother,” Kaine replied. “Less than two months after this daughter was born, right?”

Hegseth told Kaine that these were “false accusations” and reiterated that he was “completely exonerated” and “grateful” for the marriage he has with the “amazing woman” behind him.

Kaine insisted: “You admitted that you had sex at that hotel in October 2017. They said it was consensual. Isn’t that right?”

Hegseth was an “incredibly talented, battle-hardened leader,” military assessments show

The two continued to argue over the veracity of the claims against Hegseth, with Kaine pressing the candidate on whether he was keeping his wedding vows.

“I will let your words speak for themselves,” Hegseth once said.

“As I have said to everyone on this committee, I am not a perfect person. I’m not saying that,” Hegseth said before being interrupted by Kaine, who then accused Hegseth of withholding information about the allegation during the Trump team’s review.

Kaine eventually moved on to question Hegseth about his relationship with drinking and other allegations, which Hegseth dismissed as “false.”

conservatives on social media, along with Senator Markwayne MullinR-Okla., objected to Kaine’s questioning style at another point in the hearing, citing Hegseth’s daughter in particular.

“Senator Tim Kaine really tried to use Pete Hegseth’s 7-year-old daughter against him, despicable,” said conservative commentator Drew Hernandez Posted on X

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“IRONY ALERT: Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Virginia) tries to lecture Pete Hegseth about adultery,” The First TV Posted on X. “Remember that Tim Kaine ran on the same failed presidential ticket as Hillary Clinton, the legal wife of Bill Clinton.”

“Tim Kaine has a lot to say about Pete Hegseth’s behavior during his marriage,” said Will Chamberlain, senior counsel for the Article III Project Posted on X “Here’s Tim Kaine campaigning with Doug Emhoff, who – while married – impregnated his nanny and forced her to have an abortion.”

Fox News Digital contacted Kaine’s office for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

Breanne Deppisch of Fox News Digital contributed to this report