WASHINGTON (NewsNation) — President-elect Donald Trump’s choice for defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, faced a fiery Senate confirmation hearing Tuesday that drew protesters as well as veterans who expressed their support.
Hegseth vowed to foster a “warrior culture” at the Pentagon and faced questions about allegations of sexual assault and excessive drinking, as well as his views on the current state of the U.S. military.
Hegseth did not initially address the allegations of sexual assault, excessive drinking or his divisive views on women in combat and minorities, as senators determined whether the veteran and TV news show host is fit to lead the U.S. military. Instead, he focused on his combat experience in the Army National Guard.
“It’s time to give someone with dust on his boots the helm. A change agent,” Hegseth said in his opening remarks.
The hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee is the start of a weeklong marathon as senators begin scrutinizing Trump’s choices for more than a dozen top administrative positions. The Republican-led Senate is rushing to have some of Trump’s picks ready to be confirmed as soon as Inauguration Day, despite potential opposition to some from both sides of the aisle.
Hegseth evades questions on military use in US, involvement in military justice
Hegseth evaded answering questions about whether he had been involved in discussions regarding the use of the military in the U.S., particularly when it comes to supporting deportations.
He stressed his commitment to achieving the goals of the incoming administration when it comes to the border but avoided directly saying if he had been in such conversations.
Hegseth also shied away from answering whether he would personally involve himself in the administration of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
Hegseth questioned about assault allegations
Hegseth, 44, could be confirmed as defense secretary with only Republican support, but he can’t afford to lose more than three Republican votes if his nomination moves to the full Senate.
A major issue surrounding his confirmation involves allegations of sexual assault. While Hegseth was never charged, the alleged victim, who organized a Republican women’s event, claims they met in a hotel room in 2017, where Hegseth allegedly took her phone and refused to let her leave.
A nurse who saw the alleged victim days later stated the woman requested a sexual assault exam and recalled little of the night but believed her drink may have been spiked.
Hegseth’s attorney has confirmed he paid the accuser to avoid a lawsuit.
When asked Tuesday about the sexual assault allegation against him, Hegseth dismissed it as a “smear campaign.” When pressed about his personal behavior and marital infidelity, Hegseth acknowledged, “I am not a perfect person.”
Hegseth pressed on diversity in the military
The hearing addressed several topics, including Hegseth’s past comments opposing women in combat roles and accusing the military of being “woke.”
Although he has since walked back some of those comments, emphasizing the contributions of women in the military, a report last month detailed concerns from Fox News employees about Hegseth’s drinking habits. He has vowed not to drink if confirmed.
During the hearing, Hegseth was combative at times, forced to confront allegations of sexual assault, which he has denied, and his comments that are far from the military mainstream. He wore an American flag pocket square in his suitcoat and said his military experience was not academic but his life.
Pressed on his opposition to diversity initiatives in the military and women serving in combat roles, Hegseth agreed the military “was a forerunner in courageous racial integration.” But he argued modern diversity and inclusion policies “divide” current troops and don’t prioritize “meritocracy.”
Hegseth was grilled over his comments that women should “straight up” not be in combat roles, a view he has softened following recent meetings with senators.
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., noted the switch. “Which is it?” she asked.
In one fiery exchange, Sen. Kristen Gillibrand, D-N.Y., told Hegseth, “You will have to change how you see women to do this job.”
However, Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, a military veteran and sexual assault survivor, was far less combative as Hegseth told her it would be the “privilege of a lifetime” to serve men, and women, in uniform.
Ernst has met with Hegseth twice and described the discussions as productive.
Another senator asked Hegseth how many genders there are, laughing with him as he answered, “Two.”
Many senators have not yet met with Hegseth, and most do not have access to his FBI background check, as only committee leaders were briefed on its findings. Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., said the background check was “insufficient.” It did not probe or produce new information beyond what’s already in the public realm about him, according to a person familiar with the situation who insisted on anonymity to discuss it.
If appointed, Hegseth would lead the Department of Defense, the federal government’s largest employer, overseeing 3.4 million service members and civilians with an annual budget of approximately $850 billion.
Protesters removed from Hegseth’s hearing
In the audience were cadres of people wearing clothing expressing support for veterans or service in the military, as well as protesters who momentarily disrupted proceedings and were removed from the room.
During Hegseth’s opening statements, a protester calling him a misogynist was removed from the hearing.
Wearing camouflage fatigues, the protesters stood on chairs and began condemning Hegseth throughout his opening remarks. Each was swiftly removed from the hearing by Capitol Police.
One woman jumped up and said that her veteran father “had committed suicide after his service and you’re sending money to bomb babies.”
“Every veteran in here needs to speak up,” the woman said before she was ushered out of the room.
Another protester said that Hegseth supported “murdering babies.”
“That’s the real recruiting crisis,” he said, as three officers carried him out by his arms and legs.
Several other people were approached by police and directed out of the room.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.