Pete Hegseth denied allegations of wrongdoing in dramatic Senate hearing
Get out Matt Gaetzmaybe there wasn’t Donald Trump nominee with a difficult path to confirmation as Pete Hegseth. Shortly after the president-elect announced he was his pick for secretary of defense, the former Fox News host was beset by public accusations of sexual assault (which he has denied). , as well as reports of his professional misconduct and alleged misconduct. drinking alcohol at work. (Nominee yes declared that he “never had a drinking problem.”)
Hegseth’s disturbing comments and writings about women and LGBTQ Americans in the military also went viral, drawing concern not only from Democratic lawmakers but also some Republicans . The former soldier turned TV star will “give him the job,” the GOP senator said. Joni Ernstveteran spoke candidly about his experience as a survivor of sexual assault. His mother, in a 2018 email that emerged late last yearchastised the nominee for his treatment of women (and then retracted the comments when they became public).
As his confirmation process began on Tuesday, Hegseth repeatedly avoided engaging with the specific allegations against him, instead claiming he was the victim of an “anonymous smear campaign ” and his only fault is human. “I am not a perfect person,” Hegseth told senators, “but redemption is real, and God has trained me in ways that I know I am prepared for, and I am very It’s an honor to be watched by people standing and sitting behind me.” look forward to leading this Pentagon on behalf of the warfighter.” The dirtier accusations are just part of that political attack work, he said, similar to the work Trump has long claimed to face. “All they intend to do… is destroy me,” Hegseth declared.
The hearing erupted, as expected: Protesters interrupted proceedings at several points and Democrats tried to corner Hegseth on the allegations against him, some of which were Firstly detail via Vanity fairown Gabriel Sherman.
“Mr. Hegseth, I don’t believe you are qualified for this job,” Jack Reedranking member on the Armed Services Committee, speak nominee. “You are no longer on Fox & Friends,” speak Mazie Hironowho questioned Hegseth about his alleged drinking habits, as well as Trump’s suggestions that he would use the military to police US citizens and annex Greenland. “If confirmed, your words, actions and decisions will have a real impact on national security and the lives of our service members,” she added.
In a particularly difficult line of questioning, Tim Kaine not only denied Hegseth’s claim that he had been “cleared” of the sexual assault allegations, which he resolved in a confidential agreement, but also that the marriage vows he had taken His public transgression spoke volumes about his poor judgment. “Don’t turn this into some anonymous press issue,” Kaine said, noting that senators have seen the names of former colleagues who have come forward with other allegations of misconduct against him.
The military deserves “a leader who can lead them, not a leader who wants to lower his standards.” Tammy Duckworthone veteran, said after questioning the nominee. “Have you overcome your personal problems or are you the target of a smear campaign?” Mark Kellyasked a retired Navy captain, bluntly. “You can’t be both.”
