Trump defense nominates Pete Hegseth for Senate confirmation hearing

Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth denied numerous allegations about his high-stakes personal and professional conduct during his Senate confirmation hearing on Tuesday, calling himself the subject of an “organized smear campaign.” I called it a target.

Hegseth said reports about his alleged sexual misconduct, alcohol abuse and mismanagement of his nonprofit organization were based on “anonymous sources” and spread by media outlets aimed at “destroying me.” said.

But Democrats on the Senate Armed Services Committee held a tense hearing over whether the 44-year-old Army National Guard veteran and former Fox News host is qualified to lead the Pentagon, the nation’s largest government agency. The group slammed him for these and other controversies.

Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia highlighted Mr. Hegseth’s admitted past infidelity, noting that several allegations against him are on the record, saying, “I don’t want to turn this into an anonymous news story.” He advised them not to do so.

Hegseth also faced harsh early criticism from Democrats over past comments about the role of women and other groups in the military.

“You have denigrated active duty military members,” said Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D.Y.). “We have hundreds of women in the infantry right now, and we have dangerous soldiers serving in the infantry. And yet you degrade them.”

Hegseth responded that he respects all female service members and that his concern was simply whether standards in the military were being lowered.

When Gillibrand asked for an example, Hegseth said there was a quota for female infantry officers.

Gillibrand retorted, “No such thing exists.”

Republicans on the Senate committee were almost unanimous in their praise of Hegseth, and many echoed his criticism of the direction of the U.S. military under the Biden administration. Others used speaking time to defend Hegseth from Democrats on the committee.

Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) at one point accused Democrats of hypocrisy in response to the question.

“Do you know how many senators divorced their wives before they cheated on them? Did you ask them to resign?” Marin said. “No, but it’s just a sham.”

The committee’s chairman, Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi), said in his opening remarks that Hegseth’s unconventional candidacy may have made him a “great choice.” compared to President-elect Donald Trump.

But the committee’s ranking Democrat, Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island, told Hegseth bluntly, “I don’t think you’re qualified to meet the overwhelming demands of this job.”

Mr Reid said he found the allegations against Mr Hegseth “extremely concerning”.

“I voted in favor of all of your predecessors, including those in the first Trump administration,” Reid said. “Unfortunately, you do not have the character, poise, and ability to serve as Secretary of Defense. is lacking,” he said.

Hegseth entered the hearing and was greeted with a standing ovation from some members of the audience. But shortly after Hegseth began his opening remarks, his remarks were interrupted three times by protesters who yelled at him as he was being carried out of the room.

President Trump has supported Hegseth, who has defended himself against the allegations.

He denied being kicked out of a group of two veterans and said he would not drink if confirmed as defense secretary.

He also denies allegations that he sexually assaulted a woman at a hotel in 2017 while at Fox. An investigation by police in Monterey, California, ended without charges against Hegseth. Hegseth’s lawyer, who has repeatedly maintained that the accusations are false, confirmed that Hegseth had reached a confidential settlement with the woman.

The district attorney later said she did not press charges because “the charges were not supported by evidence beyond a reasonable doubt.”

In his opening remarks, Hegseth defended his resume and leadership credentials, saying he was “incredibly proud” of the work he has done for nonprofits.

Mr. Hegseth served tours at Guantanamo Bay, Iraq and Afghanistan, but has significantly less senior military and government experience than other recent Pentagon leaders. current secretary of defense Lloyd AustinFor example, he has over 40 years of military experience and served as commander of U.S. Central Command.

“It’s true that I don’t have a similar background to any secretary of defense over the past 30 years,” Hegseth said in his opening statement.

“But as President Trump has told me, we have repeatedly promoted people with the ‘right qualifications’ to top positions at the Pentagon, whether they are retired generals, academics or defense contractor executives.” “Where has it led us?” he said.

The revelations about Hegseth sparked speculation that Hegseth would be Trump’s second choice to resign after former Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz abandoned his bid for attorney general.

But some Republicans reportedly They have indicated in recent days that they believe Hegseth has enough support to pass the Armed Services Committee and be confirmed by the full Senate.

The background to Mr. Hegseth’s appointment is as follows: Comparison drawn Dramatic Senate hearings centering on sexual assault allegations against Brett Kavanaugh, President Trump’s second Supreme Court nominee.

Kavanaugh, who vehemently denied these accusations, was confirmed by a 50-48 vote.