Pete Hegseth, Trump’s pick for defense secretary, is allegedly blaming a media “smear campaign.”
Republican President-elect Donald Trump’s leadership of the Pentagon, former Fox News anchor Pete Hegseth, has faced criticism early in his Senate confirmation hearings on a range of issues from diversity in the military to claims about the protection of accused war criminals.
Hexett’s appearance before the Senate Armed Services Committee could determine his fate, even as Republicans hold an overall six-seat advantage in the chamber. A slim Republican Senate majority means Hexeth could lose the support of no more than three senators to confirm if Democrats and independents Bernie Sanders and Angus King unite against him.
Cabinet nominees almost never lose the Senate’s vote because they usually withdraw when they’re in trouble.
Hegseth, who has little management experience, would lead an agency with a US budget of nearly $1 trillion, 1.3 million active duty service members and nearly a million civilian employees.
The next defense secretary will face a number of key foreign policy challenges, including the active conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza and China’s military expansion, though little time was spent on those challenges during the first few hours of the inquiry.
Allegations of excessive drinking, sexual harassment
A series of episodes have raised concerns among mostly Democratic lawmakers, including a 2017 sexual-assault allegation that did not result in charges and which Hegseth vehemently denies. Hegseth acknowledged that he paid the settlement to the woman who filed the lawsuit, but said it was done to avoid a costly and time-consuming process.
Other charges related to excessive drinking and financial mismanagement at veterans organizations.
Hegseth described many of the reports as a “coordinated smear campaign” by the “leftist media”.
Hegseth’s opening statement was interrupted three times by protesters who were escorted out of the room.
The 44-year-old has spoken out against diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in the military and questioned whether the top US general should have the job because he is black. Before her nomination, Hegseth was strongly opposed to women in combat roles.
Former Fox News anchor Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for defense secretary, came under fire at his Senate confirmation hearing on Tuesday. Hegseth was grilled on topics ranging from diversity in the military to his claims to defending accused war criminals.
Hegseth said he would support women serving in combat roles as long as the standards are not changed.
He previously said he would treat women and minorities fairly if hired, but added that he would review military standards that prioritize gender or race.
“I would be honored to have the opportunity to serve with you, shoulder to shoulder, men and women, black and white, of all backgrounds, with a common purpose,” he said.
“You will be treated fairly and with dignity, honor and respect,” he added.
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, a Democrat, said she welcomed the remarks, but that they represented an “11th-hour turnaround” and noted that a chapter in one of her books is titled “The (Deadly) Passion for Women Warriors.”
A top Republican says an “unconventional” choice is needed
In recent weeks, Trump’s party has rallied around Hegseth’s choice.
“Admittedly, this nomination is unconventional,” said Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi, a Republican who heads the committee. “The candidate is unconventional, just like the New York developer (Trump) who came down the escalator to announce his candidacy for president in 2015.”
But, Wicker said, the unconventional option may be just what the U.S. military needs to overcome what it describes as shortfalls in combat readiness and deterrence.
Hegseth spoke several times on Tuesday about trying to bring a “warrior culture” to the military, even as Trump expressed his inclination against involving US troops in foreign wars wherever possible.
During Trump’s first term, Hexeth lobbied the president on behalf of Navy SEAL Eddie Gallagher, Maj. Matthew Holstein and Lt. Clint Lawrence before the military tribunals involving these men were completed. Each man was charged with war crimes.
Trump eventually pardoned Golstein and Lawrence and promoted Gallagher. Gallagher had been acquitted of charges in a controversial case.
Democratic Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island, a former military man, said Hegseth would be the first of the nine defense secretaries he would ultimately reject. Reed said Hexeth’s advocacy on behalf of alleged war criminals, such as his advocacy of the use of water while interrogating military prisoners, is troubling.
Addressing Hexeth, Reed said that “the totality of your writings and alleged conduct would disqualify any military man from holding any leadership position…much less being confirmed as Secretary of Defense.
The last candidate for the role, who was defeated, was former Senator John Tower in 1989. The tower was investigated for allegations of drunkenness and inappropriate behavior with women.
This week’s auditions
No confirmation hearing dates have been set for nominees Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (Secretary of Health and Human Services), Tulsi Gabbard (Director of National Intelligence), Kash Patel (FBI Director), Howard Lutnick (Commerce) and Elise Stefanik (Ambassador). United Nations).
This week’s hearings by various congressional committees are as follows:
- Pam Bondi, attorney general nominee, Wednesday.
- Sean Duffy, transportation secretary nominee, on Wednesday.
- Kristi Noem, nominee for Homeland Security secretary, Wednesday.
- John Ratcliffe, CIA director nominee, on Wednesday.
- Marco Rubio, a candidate for secretary of state, on Wednesday.
- Chris Wright, nominee for energy secretary, on Wednesday.
- Scott Bessent, nominee for Treasury Secretary, on Thursday.
- Doug Burgum, the nominee’s secretary of the interior, on Thursday.
- Scott Turner, nominee for secretary of housing and urban development, on Thursday.
- Lee Zeldin, Environmental Protection Agency administrator nominee, on Thursday.
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