First on Fox: New Republican Senator Jim Banks of Indiana He criticized Democrats over what he said were attempts to delay confirmation hearings for Trump's nominees, particularly Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Banks urged Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker, Republican of Missouri, to move forward Confirmation hearing scheduled for Hegseth On January 14, as planned, without being affected by the Democrats' requests.
“As you know, senators who will oppose Hegseth's nomination no matter what are seeking to delay and deprive President Trump of office The Minister of Defense is running Confirm quickly. “If they succeed, it will harm US national security during the critical transition of power later this month.”
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Senator Jim Banks said Democrats, including Senator Richard Blumenthal, right, are looking to delay Pete Hegseth's hearing. (Reuters)
The Republican's letter comes after fellow committee member, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., sent his own correspondence to Wicker, arguing that the committee needed more information and documents from the nominee to properly consider him.
“I am deeply concerned that the Senate Armed Services Committee is considering the nomination of Pete Hegseth for this critically important position without complete information regarding his ability and experience in leading our military and managing a budget of approximately $850 billion,” Blumenthal said, referring to the allegations. That Hegseth mismanaged finances while leading a nonprofit veterans organization.
“I do not see how this committee can, in good conscience, consider Mr. Hegseth's nomination without a full review of his conduct while leading these organizations — the only civilian management experience of his career,” the Connecticut Democrat added.
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Blumenthal said he requested to review Hegseth's additional documents, “including credit card transactions and other uses of resources.”
Additionally, the Democrat claimed that Hegseth “refuses to be available to meet with me and my Democratic colleagues prior to his nomination hearing.”
However, a source familiar with the matter told Fox News Digital that Hegseth reached out to Democrats in early and mid-December to meet. The only Democrat who was willing to do so was Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pennsylvania, who sat down with him last month.
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Others waited until days before the hearing scheduled for January 14 to respond, the source said. As is typical for these types of candidates, Hegseth is scheduled to be in the process of preparing for her hearing in the days leading up to it.
In his letter to Wicker, Banks criticized Blumenthal's request. “Senator Blumenthal’s letter to you and the rest of the Committee is the latest attempt to achieve their goal. In his letter, he raises anonymous and unsubstantiated accusations against Mr. Hegseth regarding his time as the leader of two organizations that advocated for America’s veterans. “Senator Blumenthal deliberately ignores the fact that Veterans who have worked with Mr. Hegseth professionally are on record supporting his candidacy.
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Senator Jim Banks said he fully supports Pete Hegseth, right. (Getty Images)
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The Republican acknowledged that Blumenthal had the right to question Hegseth on the floor and ultimately oppose his confirmation. “But he has no right to delay the important work of the Armed Forces Committee for the national security of the United States,” Banks said.
Wicker did not immediately provide comment to Fox News Digital.
