WASHINGTON — Pete Hegseth, the nominee for Secretary of Defense, is set to address senators publicly for the first time on Tuesday, following a period of privately countering criticism regarding his qualifications and personal history.
Hegseth, a 44-year-old veteran of the Army National Guard and a former host on Fox News Channel, has encountered significant scrutiny from Democratic senators who question the depth of his experience relative to past defense secretaries. He has also faced allegations related to excessive alcohol use, sexual assault, and financial mismanagement within veteran organizations, all of which he denies.
While many Republican senators have shown strong support for Hegseth’s nomination, others have adopted a wait-and-see approach amid increasing concerns regarding his past behaviors.
President-elect Donald Trump has expressed unwavering support for Hegseth, having engaged in one-on-one discussions with Senate Republicans in the weeks leading to the hearing. In a social media post back in December, Trump endorsed Hegseth by stating, “Pete is a WINNER, and there is nothing that can be done to change that!!!”
Amid the lead-up to Hegseth’s confirmation hearings, a few key aspects are expected to be focal points for inquiry:
His Department Leadership
Republicans believe that Hegseth’s combat experience could serve as an advantage; however, Democrats maintain significant concerns regarding his lack of extensive experience on global matters.
The Pentagon operates with a budget exceeding $800 billion and oversees approximately 1.3 million active-duty personnel, alongside an additional 1.4 million in National Guard, Reserves, and civilian roles worldwide. Hegseth will have to navigate numerous global issues, including ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, the strengthening ties between Russia and North Korea, and escalating competition with China.
Senators from the Democratic party are likely to probe Hegseth regarding his strategies for managing such a vast department and the manner in which he intends to represent the U.S. in international diplomatic encounters. Democratic Senator Jacky Rosen of Nevada emphasized the necessity of having a capable candidate for the role.
Republicans assert that Hegseth’s unconventional background could invigorate the Pentagon’s leadership. North Dakota Senator Kevin Cramer remarked, “While maybe not the credentials that have traditionally been on the resume of nominees for Secretary of Defense, I think that he brings plenty and he brings some things that some of those more traditional nominees didn’t bring. He’ll be disruptive in a good way.”
Women in Combat
Hegseth has previously argued against women serving in combat roles. With this in mind, two female Iraq War veterans on the committee — Republican Joni Ernst from Iowa and Democrat Tammy Duckworth from Illinois, who lost both of her legs in combat — are poised to question him on his views regarding women in military engagements.
Duckworth has expressed her intent to interrogate Hegseth about his stance during the hearing and inquire about the potential implications for recruitment and troop deployment consistency. “We can’t go to war without them,” Duckworth stated.
Ernst has convened with Hegseth on two occasions with the goal of learning more about his perspectives, yet her decision on whether to support him remains undecided. Hegseth, during an appearance on “The Megyn Kelly Show” in December, claimed, “If we have the right standard and women meet that standard, roger. Let’s go.”
Sexual Assault Allegations
Hegseth has responded to accusations regarding excessive drinking and the disclosure of a settlement linked to a sexual assault allegation, which he continues to deny.
Given these controversies, Democrats are expected to demand clarification from Hegseth during the hearing; Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren expressed her concerns in a recent letter, urging that she finds his past behaviors and remarks indicative of unfitness for leading the department.
Meanwhile, Republican Senator Ernst, who is also a survivor of sexual assault, described her conversations with Hegseth as encouraging and mentioned that he committed to conducting a comprehensive audit of the Pentagon and prioritizing efforts to prevent sexual assault within the military.
Many Republican senators stand firmly behind Hegseth, with individuals like Tennessee Senator Bill Hagerty questioning the veracity of the allegations and characterizing them as “he said, she said” situations.
Vote Expectations
Hegseth is likely to receive overwhelmingly supportive votes from Republican senators on the committee, which could extend to the entire Senate; however, the final outcome will be influenced by his ability to convincingly address the allegations against him during the hearing.
In the Senate, Hegseth could only afford to lose four Republican votes given the current majority of 53-47, assuming all Democrats oppose his confirmation, as the Vice President-elect J.D. Vance could bridge any tie.
South Dakota Senator Mike Rounds, a member of the Armed Services committee, stated that Hegseth is prepped to tackle the allegations and is looking forward to discussing his vision for the department as Secretary. Rounds stated, “I think he will, and at the same time, we’ll give him ample opportunity to talk about what he believes his role would be as a secretary, and the vision that he has for the department.” He also indicated he expects to support Hegseth, barring any significant developments.
