Trump’s confirmation hearing to defend Pete Hegseth in the Senate

The Minister of Defense is optimistic Pete Hegseth He described himself as the target of a “coordinated smear campaign” and denied his existence A set of allegations About his personal and professional conduct in a high-stakes Senate confirmation hearing on Tuesday.

Hegseth said reports of his alleged sexual improprieties, alcohol abuse and mismanagement of non-profit organizations were based on “anonymous sources” and promoted by a media trying to “destroy me.”

But Democrats on the Senate Armed Services Committee questioned him about those and other controversies throughout a tense hearing on whether the 44-year-old Army veteran and former Fox News host is qualified to lead the Pentagon, the nation’s largest government agency.

Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., focused on Hegseth’s admitted past infidelities and warned him not to “turn this into an anonymous journalistic thing,” noting that some of the allegations against him have been on the record.

Hegseth also faced early criticism from Democrats over his past comments about the role of women and other groups in the military.

“You have tarnished the reputations of active duty service members,” said Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y. “We have hundreds, hundreds of women currently in the infantry, and deadly members of our military serving in the infantry. But you’re disparaging them.”

Hegseth responded that he respected all female service personnel and that his concerns were only about whether troop standards had been lowered.

When Gillibrand asked for an example, Hegseth said there were quotas for female infantry officers.

“That doesn’t exist,” Gillibrand responded.

Republicans on the Senate committee offered near-uniform praise for Hegseth, and many echoed his criticism of the US military’s direction under the Biden administration. Others used their speaking time to defend Hegseth from Democrats on the committee.

At one point, Sen. Markwayne Mullen, R-Oklahoma, accused Democrats of hypocrisy over their questions.

“How many senators do you know who got divorced before their wives cheated on them? Have you asked them to step down?” Mullen said. “No, but it’s for show.”

The committee’s chairman, Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Mo., said in his opening remarks that Hegseth’s unconventional nomination may be what makes him an “excellent choice,” and compared him to the president-elect. Donald Trump.

But the committee’s ranking Democrat, Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island, told Hegseth bluntly: “I don’t think you’re qualified to meet the enormous demands of this job.”

Reid said he finds the allegations against Hegseth “deeply disturbing.”

“You voted for all of your predecessors, including those in the first Trump administration,” Reed said. “Unfortunately, you lack the character, composure, and competence to serve as Secretary of Defense.”

Upon entering the hearing, Hegseth received a standing ovation from some members of the audience. But shortly after he began his opening remarks, Hegseth was interrupted three separate times by protesters who shouted at him as they were escorted from the room.

Trump stood behind Hegseth, who defended himself against these accusations.

He denied that he was expelled from both groups of vets, and said that he would not drink alcohol if he was appointed Minister of Defense.

He also denied allegations of sexually assaulting a woman at a hotel in 2017, while at Fox. The police investigation in Monterey, California, ended without charges being brought against Hegseth. His lawyer, who repeatedly called the accusations false, admitted that Hegseth reached a confidential settlement with the woman.

The prosecutor later said He did not press charges Because “there were no accusations supported by evidence beyond a reasonable doubt.”

In his opening remarks, Hegseth said he was “extremely proud” of the work he has done for the nonprofit, and defended his resume and leadership credentials.

While he served tours at Guantanamo Bay, Iraq and Afghanistan, Hegseth had far less military or government experience than other senior Pentagon commanders. Current Minister of Defense Lloyd AustinFor example, he has more than 40 years of military experience and served as commander of U.S. Central Command.

Hegseth’s opening statement said: “It is true that I do not have a CV comparable to any Defense Minister of the past 30 years.”

“But, as President Trump also told me, we have repeatedly put people at the top of the Pentagon who supposedly ‘have the right qualifications’ — whether they be retired generals, academics, or defense contractor executives — and where has that gotten us?” He said.

Hegseth’s revelation sparked speculation that he could become Trump’s second pick to withdraw, after former Republican Representative Matt Gaetz canceled his bid for attorney general.

But some Republicans did It is said They have indicated in recent days that they believe Hegseth has enough support to advance beyond the Armed Services Committee and be confirmed by the Senate.

Circumstances of Hegseth’s nomination Comparisons drawn To the dramatic Senate hearing centered on the sexual assault allegations against Brett Kavanaugh, Trump’s second Supreme Court nominee.

Kavanaugh, who has strongly denied the accusations, was confirmed 50-48.