WASHINGTON — During a tense Senate confirmation hearing on Tuesday, Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense, expressed his commitment to cultivating a “warrior culture” within the Pentagon while addressing various allegations concerning his personal conduct, including accusations of sexual assault and heavy drinking. The discussion also touched on his controversial views concerning women in combat roles.
Hegseth, a veteran of the Army National Guard, aimed to shift attention to his military qualifications as senators debated his suitability for leading the Pentagon. “It’s time to give someone with dust on his boots the helm. A change agent,” he stated in his opening comments, highlighting his experience as a combat veteran and former television personality.
When confronted about the allegations of sexual assault, Hegseth labeled them a “smear campaign,” maintaining a defensive stance throughout inquiries about his behavior and claims of drinking during work hours. He assured senators that he would abstain from alcohol should he be confirmed. However, Hegseth did acknowledge his past marital indiscretions, stating, “I am not a perfect person.”
Senators delved into Hegseth’s background for several hours, with the Republican chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee noting the “unconventional” nature of Trump’s pick. Republican Senator Roger Wicker from Mississippi praised Hegseth, remarking that he would bring “energy and fresh ideas” aimed at reforming the bureaucratic system in place.
Conversely, top Democrat Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island expressed concern over the accusations, describing them as “extremely alarming” and questioning Hegseth’s qualifications for the role.
At 44, Hegseth represents a new wave of veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, and many see his military background as beneficial. However, his tenure has also been marked by controversial comments and actions, particularly regarding women and minorities in the military. Additionally, his lack of traditional qualifications for the role of defense secretary raised worries about his ability to manage a vast organization composed of around 2.1 million service members and a budget exceeding $850 billion.
The hearing lasted over four hours and initiated a series of discussions in the lead-up to Inauguration Day on January 20, during which the Republican-majority Senate seeks to expedite the confirmation of Trump’s nominees. Given the tight Republican majority, most GOP senators will need to support Hegseth if there is significant opposition from Democrats.
Hegseth’s path to confirmation appears particularly challenging, but Republican supporters are enthusiastic about promoting him as a pivotal figure in Trump’s administration amid ongoing societal debates. Various organizations, including those associated with the Heritage Foundation, are actively campaigning to bolster Hegseth’s chances.
The audience included several supporters dressed in military-themed attire as well as protesters who briefly interrupted the proceedings before being escorted out. Hegseth displayed a confrontational demeanor when responding to accusations and addressing his views that diverge from mainstream military perspectives.
When questioned about his stance on diversity efforts within the armed forces, Hegseth acknowledged the military’s pioneering role in racial integration, but criticized contemporary diversity policies, arguing they contribute to division among troops and undermine merit-based advancement.
During the hearing, several female Democratic senators rigorously interrogated Hegseth regarding his past statements suggesting that women should not serve in combat positions, a position he has moderated since his nomination. Senator Jeanne Shaheen from New Hampshire highlighted this change, asking, “Which is it?”
A particularly heated exchange occurred when Senator Kristen Gillibrand from New York admonished Hegseth, asserting that he would need to reevaluate his perception of women to fulfill the responsibilities of the role effectively. Senator Tammy Duckworth from Illinois, a veteran who sustained serious injuries while serving, emphasized the importance of competent leadership in the military.
Notably, many senators had not interacted with Hegseth prior to the hearing, and only committee leaders had access to his FBI background check, which Senator Reed critiqued as “insufficient.” When Senator Richard Blumenthal from Connecticut inquired whether Hegseth would consent to a more thorough FBI investigation, Hegseth indicated that the request would need to come from the Trump transition team.
Republican senators rallied around Hegseth, with Senator Markwayne Mullin from Oklahoma acknowledging that “we’ve all made mistakes” and encouraging Hegseth to speak positively about his family. Senator Eric Schmitt from Missouri praised him as a “breath of fresh air” for discussing the need to dismantle diversity initiatives.
When confronted by Senator Joni Ernst from Iowa, a military veteran herself and a survivor of sexual assault, Hegseth remarked that he would consider it the “privilege of a lifetime” to serve as Secretary of Defense for the men and women in uniform. Following the hearing, Ernst released a statement affirming her support for Hegseth while expressing intentions to hold him accountable for various commitments related to auditing the Pentagon and enhancing opportunities for women in military roles.
Previously, Hegseth was relatively unknown in Washington until Trump nominated him for the top defense position. His background includes co-hosting the Fox News Channel’s “Fox & Friends Weekend” and a history of involvement with the network since 2014, which likely caught Trump’s attention as he is an avid viewer of Fox News.
Hegseth, who graduated from Princeton University and served in the Army National Guard from 2002 to 2021, participated in deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, earning two Bronze Stars. However, his credentials do not align with the typical profile for a defense secretary, prompting scrutiny regarding his preparedness to oversee a complex military apparatus.
In 2017, a woman accused Hegseth of sexual assault, an allegation he has consistently denied, asserting that the incident at a Republican women’s event in California was consensual. He later reached a confidential settlement with the individual to avert a lawsuit.
Should he gain confirmation, Hegseth would manage a military under pressure from an array of international conflicts as well as domestic issues like recruitment and funding challenges. The responsibilities of the Secretary include overseeing thousands of troops stationed abroad, making choices about deployments and durations, and engaging with global leaders on critical security matters, in addition to playing a pivotal role within NATO as a partner to allies.
