Pete Hegseth, Trump’s nominee for Defense Secretary, blamed a media “smear campaign” for the allegations.

Former Fox News host Pete Hegseth, Republican President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Pentagon, came under early criticism at a Senate hearing on issues ranging from diversity in the military to allegations of defending accused war criminals.

Hegseth’s performance before the Senate Armed Services Committee could determine his fate, although Republicans hold a six-seat lead in the chamber overall. The slim Republican majority in the Senate means Hegseth could lose the support of as many as three senators until he is confirmed, if Democrats and independents Bernie Sanders and Angus King unite against him.

Cabinet nominees never lose votes in the Senate, because they usually withdraw if they appear to be in trouble.

Hegseth, who has little management experience, will be in charge of an organization with a U.S. budget of nearly $1 trillion, 1.3 million active-duty members and about 1 million civilian workers.

The next defense secretary will face a number of key foreign issues, including the active conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza and China’s military expansion, although little time was spent on these challenges during the first few hours of questioning.

Heavy drinking and allegations of sexual assault

A number of incidents have raised concerns among mostly Democratic lawmakers, including a 2017 sexual assault allegation that did not result in charges and which Hegseth strongly denies. Hegseth acknowledged paying a settlement to the woman who made the claim, but said it was done to prevent a costly and lengthy process.

Other accusations included excessive drinking and financial mismanagement in veterans’ organizations.

Hegseth described many of the reports as a “coordinated smear campaign” by the “left-wing media.”

Hegseth’s opening statement was interrupted three times by protesters who were escorted from the hall.

The 44-year-old criticized the military’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives and questioned whether the highest-ranking US general has the job because he is black. Before his nomination, Hegseth strongly opposed women in combat roles.

Hegseth said he would support women serving in combat roles provided the criteria for doing so was not changed.

He had previously testified that he would treat women and minorities fairly if confirmed for the position, but added that he would review military standards that prioritize gender or race.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to work side by side with you, side by side, men and women, black and white, all backgrounds with a common goal,” Hegseth said.

“You will be treated fairly, with dignity, honor and respect,” he added.

Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen said the statements were welcome but represented an “eleventh-hour shift,” noting that a chapter in one of his books was titled “The (Deadly) Obsession with Women Warriors.”

One senior Republican says an “unconventional” option is needed.

In recent weeks, Trump’s party has coalesced around Hegseth’s selection.

“Admittedly, this nomination is unconventional,” said Mississippi Republican Senator Roger Wicker, who leads the committee. He added, “The candidate is unconventional, just like that New York developer (Trump) who rode the escalator in 2015 to announce his candidacy for the presidency.”

But Wicker said an unconventional choice may be what is necessary to address what he described as deficiencies in the U.S. military’s combat readiness and deterrence capabilities.

Hegseth spoke more than once on Tuesday about seeking to bring a “warrior culture” to the military, even as Trump expressed a tendency, where possible, against involving American forces in foreign wars.

During Trump’s first term, Hegseth lobbied the president on behalf of Marine Eddie Gallagher, Maj. Matthew Golsteyn and Lt. Clint Lawrence before the military trials involving the men were completed. Each man was facing charges of war crimes.

Ultimately, Trump granted clemency to Golsteyn and Lawrence, and elevated Gallagher. It was Gallagher He was acquitted of charges in a controversial case.

Democratic Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island, a former service member, said Hegseth would be the first of nine defense secretary he would ultimately reject. Reid said Hegseth’s advocacy on behalf of alleged war criminals was troubling, as was his defense of the use of waterboarding when interrogating military prisoners.

Addressing Hegseth, Reid said, “The totality of your writings and alleged conduct would disqualify any service member from holding any leadership position… let alone from being confirmed as Secretary of Defense.”

The last candidate for the role to be defeated was former Senator John Tower in 1989. Tower was investigated over allegations of drunkenness and inappropriate behavior with women.

Hearings this week

Confirmation hearing dates have not been set for nominees Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (Secretary of Health and Human Services), Tulsi Gabbard (Director of National Intelligence), Kash Patel (Director of the FBI), Howard Lutnick (Commerce), and Elise Stefanik (Ambassador of the United States of America). United Nations).

The hearings this week, conducted by various congressional committees, will be held as follows:

• Pam Bondi, attorney general nominee, said Wednesday.
• Sean Duffy, transportation secretary nominee, said Wednesday.
• Kristi Noem, nominee for Secretary of Homeland Security, on Wednesday.
• John Ratcliffe, nominee for CIA director, on Wednesday.
• Marco Rubio, nominee for Secretary of State, on Wednesday.
• Chris Wright, nominee for Secretary of Energy, on Wednesday.
• Scott Besent, nominee for Treasury Secretary, on Thursday.
• Doug Burgum, Interior Secretary nominee, Thursday.
• Scott Turner, nominee for Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, said Thursday.
• Lee Zeldin, nominee for administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, said Thursday.