Written by Phil Stewart, Idris Ali and Patricia Zengerle
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's pick to lead the Pentagon, has come under fierce criticism from Democrats over everything from his inexperience, alleged drinking and past opposition to women in combat, and has emerged largely unscathed among Republicans. At his confirmation hearing on Friday. Tuesday.
Hegseth, a former Fox News host and decorated war veteran, is one of the most controversial figures ever nominated for Secretary of Defense, and any votes to confirm his nomination are expected to be very close.
But he made it through the four-hour hearing without making any major mistakes that could have alienated Republicans, and even received critical support from Republican Sen. Joni Ernst, who is highly influential in her party.
Several other Republican committee members, to laughter from the friendly audience full of supporters wearing Hegseth hats, praised the 44-year-old, who has criticized the military's diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and questioned in his latest book whether the military's senior leadership is doing its job. . The American general has the job because he is black.
Asked whether he would fire Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General CQ Brown if he took command of the Army, a possibility that Reuters first reported, Hegseth refused to rule it out, saying he would conduct a broad review.
“Each senior officer will be reviewed on the basis of merit, standards, ability to kill and adherence to the lawful orders that will be issued to them,” Hegseth said.
Hegseth had strongly opposed women playing combat roles, but backed away from that position during the hearing.
“Mr. Hegseth, I do not believe you are qualified to meet the enormous demands of this job,” said Senator Jack Reed, ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
A number of episodes raised concern, including a 2017 sexual assault allegation against Hegseth, which did not result in charges, which he denies. He has also been accused of heavy drinking and financial mismanagement in veterans' organizations. Hegseth pledged to abstain from drinking alcohol if his infection was confirmed. He said he had made financial mistakes but denied any wrongdoing.
Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand criticized Hegseth's previous statements regarding women, saying that he would have to radically change his view of women, who constitute 18% of the US military.
“We have hundreds, hundreds, of women serving in the infantry, and they are deadly members of our military… but you disparage them,” Gillibrand said in a heated exchange.
“Please explain these kind of statements because they are cruel, and they are mean.”
Despite strong support from Republicans in Trump's party, Hegseth is likely to be confirmed by a narrow margin, compared to a vote of 93-2 for President Joe Biden's defense secretary, Lloyd Austin, and 98-1 for Jim Mattis, Trump's first nominee for the job.
After the hearing, Ernst, who critics speculated could vote against Hegseth and perhaps persuade others to do the same, said she supported Hegseth.
“Our next Commander-in-Chief has selected Pete Hegseth to serve in this role, and after our conversations, listening to the people of Iowa, and doing my job as a U.S. Senator, I will support President Trump’s selection for Secretary of Defense,” Ernst said in a statement. statement.
When Hegseth entered the crowded hearing room, he was greeted with cheers and standing ovations, with chants of “USA, USA, USA” and shouts of “Bring 'em on, Betty.”
Senator Roger Wicker, the Republican who leads the committee, endorsed Hegseth, calling him “unorthodox” and adding: “With regard to his personal conduct, Mr. Hegseth has admitted negligence, as we all do from time to time.”
Republican senators, including Markwayne Mullen and Tim Sheehy, strongly supported Hegseth. Mullen dismissed concerns about him, especially his personal life, as political theatre.
“It's all for show,” Mullen said.
Accountability is coming
Protesters repeatedly interrupted Hegseth's opening remarks, which praised Trump. He pledged to restore the “warrior culture” to the US military and said that accountability would come to those who fall short in the mission.
“Everyone from the highest levels, from the most senior general to the lowest soldier, we will ensure they are treated fairly,” Hegseth said.
When asked about statements opposing women in combat, Hegseth pointed out the need to abolish quotas for front-line roles. Gillibrand responded by saying there were no such quotas.
During the hearing, he told Ernst, a veteran, that he would support women in combat “because standards are still high, and we will conduct a review to make sure standards are not eroded.”
Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth, a veteran who lost both legs fighting in Iraq, chided Hegseth for gaps in his foreign policy knowledge and lack of management experience.
“If you say you care about keeping our armed forces strong… then let's not lower the bar for you,” Duckworth said. “You, sir, can't go to this station.”
In a 2021 incident first reported by Reuters, a fellow Army National Guard member described Hegseth as an “internal threat” because of his tattoos. Hegseth referred to the incident during the hearing, which led to his being withdrawn from Guard duty in Washington during Biden's inauguration.
In recent weeks, Trump's party has coalesced around his choice.
However, the slim Republican majority in the Senate means Hegseth could lose the support of as few as three senators until he is confirmed, if Democrats and independents unite against him.
Cabinet nominees never lose Senate votes. The last candidate defeated was former Senator John Tower, nominee for Secretary of Defense, in 1989. Tower was investigated for allegations of drunkenness and inappropriate behavior with women.
If approved, Hegseth's appointment could fulfill Trump's promises to rid the military of generals he accuses of pursuing progressive diversity policies.
The next defense secretary faces daunting challenges, including active conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza and the expansion of China's military, which received only cursory attention during a hearing that focused more on culture war issues.
The committee is expected to vote on Hegseth's nomination on Monday, Trump's inauguration day, paving the way for consideration by the full Senate.
