By Phil Stewart, Idris Ali and Patricia Zengerle
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Pentagon, Pete Hegseth, came under fire during his confirmation hearing on Tuesday as Democrats protested against him and his position on women in combat. Expressed deep concern about naivety, alleged drunkenness and past opposition. .
Hegseth, a former Fox News host, is one of the most controversial nominees to be secretary of defense. The 44-year-old has criticized diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in the military, and, in his latest book, questioned whether the top US general has the job because he is black.
Prior to his nomination, Hegseth strongly opposed women in combat roles but retracted that stance during one of the most contentious confirmation hearings in living memory of a US defense secretary.
Senator Jack Reid, ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said, “Mr. Hegseth, I do not believe you are capable of meeting the heavy demands of this job.”
Reid criticized the FBI’s investigation into Hegseth’s past, saying it failed to investigate the broader allegations against him. The FBI declined to comment.
Several episodes have raised concerns among MPs, including a 2017 sexual assault allegation against Hegseth that did not result in charges and which he denies. He has also been accused of heavy drinking and financial mismanagement of senior citizens’ organizations. Hegseth vowed to abstain from alcohol when confirmed and said he had made some financial mistakes but denied any wrongdoing.
Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand slammed Hegseth’s previous comments about women in the US military, saying she would have to fundamentally change how she views women, who make up 18% of the US military.
“We have hundreds — hundreds — of women who serve in the infantry, lethal members of our military … but you belittle them,” Gillibrand said, raising her voice in a heated exchange.
“Please explain these types of statements because they are cruel, and they are mean.”
Despite Trump’s strong support from Republicans, Hegseth’s confirmation may depend on his performance before the committee. As Hegseth walked into the packed hearing room, he was greeted with chants of “USA, USA, USA” and “Get ’em, Petey” from supporters.
Senator Roger Wicker, the Republican who chairs the committee, supported Hegseth, saying: “Really, this nomination is unconventional. The nominee is unconventional.”
“Regarding his personal conduct, Mr. Hegseth has admitted to falling short, as we all do from time to time,” Wicker said.
‘Accountability is coming’
Hegseth’s opening remarks to the committee, praising Trump, were repeatedly interrupted by protesters. He vowed to bring back a warrior culture in the US military and said “accountability is coming” for those who fall short.
Reuters first reported that the incoming Trump administration was preparing a list of generals to fire.
“(Trump) believes, and I humbly agree, that it’s time to give the helm to someone with dust on his boots. A change agent,” Hegseth said.
When asked about his comments opposing women in combat, Hegseth referred to the need to end quotas for frontline roles. Gillibrand countered that no such quota existed.
He later told Republican Senator Joni Ernst, himself a veteran, that he would support women in combat roles “as long as the standards remain high, and we will do a review to make sure the standards are not eroded.” is.”
Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth, a US Army veteran who lost both legs while fighting in Iraq, chastised Hegseth’s gap in foreign policy knowledge and lack of management experience. He clearly did not want him to lead the Pentagon.
“You say you care about keeping our armed forces strong … then let’s not lower the bar for you. You cannot go to this station, sir,” Duckworth said.
In a 2021 incident first reported by Reuters, Hegseth was called an “insider threat” by a fellow member of the Army National Guard over his tattoos. Hegseth noted the incident during the hearing, which led to him being removed from guard duty in Washington during the inauguration of President Joe Biden.
In recent weeks, Trump’s party has rallied around his election.
Still, the slim Republican Senate majority means Hegseth could lose the support of more than three senators to be confirmed, if Democrats and independents unite against him.
Cabinet nominees almost never lose Senate votes, as they are usually withdrawn if they appear to be in trouble.
The last nominee to lose, former Senator John Tower, was nominated to be Secretary of Defense in 1989. Tower was investigated for claims of drunkenness and inappropriate behavior with women.
If confirmed, Hegseth could fulfill Trump’s promises to rid the military of generals he accuses of pursuing progressive diversity policies.
Hegseth, who has little management experience, will be in charge of an agency with a nearly $1 trillion budget, 1.3 million active-duty service members and nearly 1 million civilian employees.
The next secretary of defense will face a number of major foreign issues, including active conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza and China’s military expansion, issues that received only scant attention during a hearing focused more on culture war issues. .
