Trump's pick for defence secretary, Pete Hegseth, blames media 'smear campaign' for allegations
Nominee grilled at confirmation hearing on women in military, past behaviour
Republican president-elect Donald Trump's pick to lead the Pentagon, former Fox News host Pete Hegseth, came under fire early at a Senate confirmation hearing on matters ranging from diversity in the military to allegations of defending accused war criminals.
Hegseth's performance before the Senate's armed services committee could determine his fate, even as Republicans hold a six-seat advantage in the chamber overall. The slim Republican Senate majority means that Hegseth can lose support from no more than three senators to be confirmed, if Democrats and independents Bernie Sanders and Angus King unite against him.
Cabinet nominees almost never lose Senate votes, because they're typically withdrawn if they seem to be in trouble.
Hegseth, who has little management experience, would be in charge of an organization with a nearly $1-trillion US budget, 1.3 million active-duty service members and nearly one million civilian workers.
The next secretary of defence will face a number of major overseas issues, including active conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza and the expansion of China's military, though over the first few hours of questioning, there was little time spent on those challenges.
Excessive drinking, sexual assault allegations
A number of episodes have sparked concern among mostly Democratic lawmakers, including a 2017 sexual assault allegation that did not result in charges and that Hegseth strongly denies. Hegseth admitted paying a settlement to the woman making that allegation, but said it was done to prevent a costly and drawn-out process.
Other accusations have involved excessive drinking and financial mismanagement at veterans' organizations.
Hegseth characterized many of the reports as amounting to a "co-ordinated smear campaign" from the "left-wing media."
Hegseth's opening statement was interrupted three times by protesters who were removed from the chamber.
The 44-year-old has railed against diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in the military and has questioned whether the top U.S. general has the job because he's Black. Prior to his nomination, Hegseth strongly opposed women in combat roles.
Hegseth said he would support women serving in combat roles provided that the standards to do so weren't altered.
Earlier, he had testified he would treat women and minorities fairly if he was confirmed for the job, but added that he would review military standards that prioritize gender or race.
"I would be honoured to have the opportunity to serve alongside you, shoulder to shoulder, men and women, black, white, all backgrounds with a shared purpose," said Hegseth.
"You will be treated fairly and with dignity, honour and respect," he added.
Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen said the remarks were welcome but represented an "11th-hour conversion," noting that a chapter in one of his books was entitled, The (Deadly) Obsession with Women Warriors.
Top Republican says 'unconventional' choice is needed
In recent weeks, Trump's party has coalesced around the Hegseth pick.
"Admittedly, this nomination is unconventional," said Mississippi Sen. Roger Wicker, the Republican who leads the committee. "The nominee is unconventional, just like that New York developer (Trump) who rode down the escalator in 2015 to announce his candidacy for president."
But, Wicker said, an unconventional choice may be what is necessary to address what he described as shortcomings in the combat readiness and deterrence capabilities of the U.S. military.
Hegseth more than once on Tuesday spoke of seeking to bring a "warrior culture" to the military, even as Trump has expressed his tendency, where possible, against involving U.S. troops in foreign wars.
During Trump's first term, Hegseth lobbied the president on behalf of Navy Seal Eddie Gallagher, Maj. Matthew Golsteyn and Lt. Clint Lorance before military tribunals involving the men had been completed. Each man was facing accusations of war crimes.
Trump ultimately granted clemency to Golsteyn and Lorance, and elevated Gallagher in rank. Gallagher had been acquitted of charges in a controversial case.
Democratic Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island, a former service member, said Hegseth would be the first defence secretary out of nine that he will ultimately reject. Reed said Hegseth's advocacy on behalf of the alleged war criminals was disturbing, as was his defence of the use of waterboarding when interrogating military prisoners.
Addressing Hegseth, Reed said "the totality of your own writings and alleged conduct would disqualify any service member from holding any leadership position … much less being confirmed as the secretary of defence.
The last nominee for the role who was defeated was former senator John Tower in 1989. Tower was investigated over claims of drunkenness and inappropriate behaviour with women.
This week's hearings
Confirmation hearing dates have not been established for nominees Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (health and human services secretary), Tulsi Gabbard (director of national intelligence), Kash Patel (FBI director), Howard Lutnik (commerce) and Elise Stefanik (ambassador to the United Nations).
Hearings will take place this week, conducted by various congressional committees, as follows:
- Pam Bondi, attorney general nominee, Wednesday.
- Sean Duffy, transportation secretary nominee, Wednesday.
- Kristi Noem, Homeland Security secretary nominee, Wednesday.
- John Ratcliffe, CIA director nominee, Wednesday.
- Marco Rubio, secretary of state nominee, Wednesday.
- Chris Wright, energy secretary nominee, Wednesday.
- Scott Bessent, Treasury secretary nominee, Thursday.
- Doug Burgum, secretary of the interior nominee, Thursday.
- Scott Turner, housing and urban development secretary nominee, Thursday.
- Lee Zeldin, Environmental Protection Agency administrator nominee, Thursday.
With files from CBC News