WASHINGTON — The Senate has made progress in advancing the nomination of Pete Hegseth as the next Secretary of Defense under President Donald Trump, following a mostly partisan vote despite serious concerns raised by Democrats and some Republicans alike regarding his conduct and qualifications to oversee the U.S. military.
Two Republican senators, Lisa Murkowski from Alaska and Susan Collins from Maine, chose to oppose Trump’s nomination push, which has included extensive public advocacy for Hegseth. The former military veteran and Fox News personality is facing accusations related to heavy drinking and inappropriate treatment of women, allegations he has refuted. The nomination vote resulted in a narrow 51-49 outcome, with a final confirmation vote anticipated for Friday.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer urged his colleagues to carefully consider whether Hegseth was the right choice to lead the world’s most formidable military force. Murkowski expressed her concerns, stating that Hegseth’s past behavior “starkly contrasts” with military standards, emphasizing her worry about what his confirmation would signal to women serving in the military and those aiming to join.
Additionally, both Murkowski and Collins referenced Hegseth’s previously stated views against women being in combat roles. During the confirmation discussions, Hegseth attempted to soften those remarks. Collins mentioned that her conversation with Hegseth left her unconvinced that he had genuinely changed his stance on the inclusion of women in combat roles. Although she recognized Hegseth’s service and commitment to military families, she expressed doubts about his lack of relevant experience and perspective needed for the role.
This nomination has been marked by unusual controversy, with serious allegations of misconduct surrounding Hegseth’s candidacy. The outcome of this vote demonstrates both Trump’s influence and the Senate’s response to his less conventional choices for Cabinet positions, such as Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. for Health and Human Services, Kash Patel at the FBI, and Tulsi Gabbard for Director of National Intelligence.
Republican senators, along with some Democrats, seem inclined to support the president’s selections. Notably, only former congressman Matt Gaetz faced substantial pushback, resulting in the withdrawal of his nomination for attorney general. The chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee has dismissed the accusations against Hegseth as unfounded.
To move forward with Hegseth’s nomination, only a simple majority of senators will be required. With Republicans holding a majority of 53 seats, many have indicated their support for Hegseth, although it is anticipated that Vice President JD Vance may need to intervene in the event of a tie.
Sen. Roger Wicker, the committee chairman, stated his firm belief that Hegseth is suitable to be the next Secretary of Defense, urging swift confirmation. Hegseth’s nomination represents a priority for a new president, especially in ensuring national security, especially as other nominations like Marco Rubio for Secretary of State have already received unanimous approval.
Nonetheless, Hegseth’s nomination stands out due to allegations related to a sexual assault incident at a Republican conference which he claims was consensual. Reports have also surfaced about a significant monetary agreement made in 2017 to the accuser. Additionally, new accusations emerged from a former sister-in-law claiming Hegseth was abusive to his second wife, a notion Hegseth has denied. Interestingly, neither party claimed to be victims of domestic violence during their divorce proceedings.
Schumer has publicly questioned Hegseth’s qualifications, suggesting that his judgment is questionable, with “erratic” being one of the kinder descriptors from his perspective. Hegseth, an alumnus of Princeton and Harvard, transitioned from military service to a career in the media, hosting a show on Fox News before being nominated by Trump to lead a large defense organization that includes around 2.1 million military personnel, 780,000 civilians, and a budget of $850 billion.
In his confirmation hearing, Hegseth addressed the allegations directly, labeling them as unfounded “smears” while showcasing his military achievements and advocating for a “warrior culture” at the Pentagon. Hegseth has also vowed to refrain from consuming alcohol while serving in this new role.
Wicker revealed he had received multiple briefings from the FBI regarding Hegseth and maintains that the allegations against him do not hold up under scrutiny. However, skepticism remains among senators regarding Hegseth’s experience and the implications of his alleged conduct on the personnel he would lead.
Despite this, Sen. Joni Ernst, a combat veteran and survivor of sexual assault, has voiced her support for Hegseth, adding to the nuanced perspectives within the Senate regarding his nomination.
