Hegseth battled with Democrat senators, calling many of their allegations “smear campaigns.”
During a four-hour hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Pete Hegseth, President Trump’s nominee to lead the Department of Defense, faced withering questions from Democratic senators who focused on previous controversial statements he made along with allegations from unnamed individuals over Hegseth’s personal conduct in previous jobs.
Hegesth vowed to be a “change agent” as Secretary of Defense while Republicans on the committee praised him as an “unconventional choice” to run the Pentagon who will be a “necessary disrupter.”
Ranking Democrat Sen. Jack Reed addressed an alleged sexual assault in 2017, for which Hegseth was not charged and which Hegseth denied, saying it was part of a “smear campaign.” Reed said the allegation was “alarming” and disqualified Hegseth from being confirmed as Secretary of Defense.
New York Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand condemned Hegseth over comments he made in 2013 saying women should not be in combat roles in the military, saying Hegseth’s comments “degrade them.” Republican Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa, a female who served in combat, had previously been noncommittal in her support of Hegseth. After the hearing she publicly committed to supporting his nomination.
Conservative pundits blasted the Democratic senators on the committee. CNN’s Scott Jennings posted on X “They didn’t lay a glove on Hegseth today” and said the Senate Democrat caucus puts “their dumbest members” on Armed Services.
For his part, Hegseth leaned on his experience with the National Guard and emphasized his desire to return a “warrior culture” to the Pentagon, saying it “is not a time for equity” and diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. “Warfighting, lethality, meritocracy, standards, and readiness. That’s it. That is my job”, Hegseth said during his opening remarks.
Hegseth also acknowledged, however indirectly, personal mistakes he’s made in the past, saying “I’m not a perfect person but redemption is real.” There have been reports of Hegseth imbibing on alcohol while working, which Hegseth denies. He reiterated a pledge he made to several senators last year that he would not drink while serving as Secretary of Defense.
Former Republican Senator from Minnesota, where Hegseth hails from, Norm Coleman had been advising the nominee and was in attendance with Hegseth. He told NewsNation after the hearing that Hegseth’s performance at the hearing “saved his nomination.”
Hegseth is one of several cabinet nominees considered controversial. While Ernst’s support of Hegseth suggests he has a better chance of confirmation than before, it is still expected to be a close vote.
