On Tuesday, January 14, Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s choice for Secretary of Defense, faced thorough examination at his initial confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee. Democrats questioned his past behavior, while Republicans extolled his potential for transformational leadership.
Hegseth stated in his opening remarks that military affairs should not be influenced by political considerations.
Nonetheless, the hearing soon split along party lines, with Democrats spotlighting accusations of sexual misconduct, financial mismanagement in veterans’ groups, and contentious comments about female combat roles. Republicans, conversely, highlighted Hegseth’s military service and portrayed his outsider position as a strength.
The newly appointed chairman of the Armed Services Committee, Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Mississippi, described Hegseth as an “unconventional” pick, suggesting this could be advantageous and drawing parallels to Trump’s leadership approach.
The hearing’s main discussion point was a 2017 sexual assault allegation. A female staffer of a Republican women’s group claimed to police that Hegseth had prevented her from exiting his hotel room and forced himself on her following a political convention in Monterey, California. Despite no charges being filed, Hegseth later agreed to an undisclosed settlement with the accuser. The FBI’s background check omitted interviews with the accuser or Hegseth’s former wives, according to sources familiar with the report.
Sen. Jack Reed, D-Rhode Island, the committee’s senior Democrat, argued that Hegseth’s writings and alleged behavior would disqualify any service member from a leadership role in the military, let alone as defense secretary. He stated his intention to vote against a defense nominee for the first time in his nearly 30-year Senate career.
New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand challenged Hegseth over his recent comments about women in combat roles. She cited a November podcast in which he suggested that the United States should prohibit women from combat and asserted that men are better suited for those roles. She demanded he clarify these comments, deeming them harsh, unkind, and disrespectful towards the servicemen and servicewomen who risk their lives for the country.
The hearing also delved into allegations regarding Hegseth’s stewardship of two veterans’ nonprofit organizations. According to The New Yorker, he was ousted from leadership roles due to worries about his handling of donor funds and his conduct in the workplace. Hegseth defended his record, asserting he was “proud of every dollar spent” at the organizations.
Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Oklahoma, leapt to Hegseth’s defense, accusing his fellow senators of hypocrisy: “How many senators have shown up drunk to vote at night? Don’t tell me you haven’t seen it, because you have,” he remarked. “And how many senators do you know have gotten divorced for cheating on their wives? … It is ridiculous you guys hold yourselves to higher standards.”
Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Illinois, a former Army helicopter pilot who lost both her legs when her helicopter was hit in Iraq, raised her voice to press Hegseth to respond to questions he was trying to dodge, retorting, “Let’s not lower our standards for you,” echoing Hegseth’s remarks about women in the military.
Concerns about Hegseth’s alcohol consumption, brought forward by former colleagues at Fox News, prompted his pledge not to consume alcohol if confirmed as defense secretary. Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, brought up NBC News’ reporting about these workplace issues during her questioning.
The vote of Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, a military veteran and sexual assault survivor who has previously voiced doubt about Hegseth’s nomination, will be crucial. In the hearing, she focused on his views about women in combat roles, appearing content when he confirmed his support for their continued access to such roles while stressing high standards.
The fiery hearing, punctuated by numerous interruptions from protesters, signaled the start of further confirmation hearings scheduled this week, as senators strive to assist Trump in forming his administration before Monday’s inauguration.
