U.S. senators are set to question Hegseth, who enjoys Republican support, over controversial past statements and controversies.
Pete Hegsetha former Fox News host chosen by United States President-elect Donald Trump to lead the Pentagon, is expected to be questioned by lawmakers during his Senate confirmation hearing.
“Culture war” issues, including diversity in the military, are expected to be the focus of Tuesday’s Senate Armed Services Committee hearing for one of the most controversial figures ever nominated to serve as U.S. secretary of state. Defense.
Hegseth’s service in the Army National Guard is widely seen as an asset to the position, and he has the support of Trump and the Republican Party.
But the 44-year-old was also criticized for a recording of past statements and actions, including allegations of sexual assault that he strongly denies, excessive drinking, and derisive views of women in military combat roles, minorities, and “woke” generals .
Hegseth is one of the most threatened candidates in Trump’s cabinet, but Republicans are determined to make him a cause celebre for the president-elect’s approach to government. Trump is due to be inaugurated on Monday.
“It will be torn apart. He will be lowered. He’ll be talked about,” Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville said of Hegseth at an event with former Army and Navy special forces and Marines supporting the candidate.
“But we’re going to get him across the finish line.”
Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a member of the Armed Services Committee, described Hegseth as “a man who had a habit of getting so drunk at work events that he had to be executed on several occasions.”
“Can we really count on Hegseth at 2 a.m. to make life-and-death national security decisions? No,” she said on X.
Hegseth can only afford three Republican rejections and still be confirmed if all Democrats and independents vote against him.
During the hearing, Hegseth will have to answer for his comments that women should “straight” not participate in combat roles in the military, a view he softened after recent meetings with senators .
Two veterans, Republican Joni Ernst of Iowa and Democrat Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, are among those who will question him.
“He can try to walk back his comments about women in combat all he wants, but we know what he’s thinking, don’t we?” said Duckworth, an Iraq War veteran who lost her legs and partial use of her right arm when the Black Hawk helicopter she piloted in the National Guard was shot down.
“He is the least qualified person ever appointed to the position of Secretary of Defense.”
Cabinet nominees almost never lose Senate votes, as they are usually removed if they appear to be in trouble.
The last defeated candidate was former Senator John Tower, also a candidate for Secretary of Defense, in 1989. Tower was investigated for drunkenness and inappropriate behavior with women.
