WASHINGTON (NewsNation) — President-elect Donald Trump’s choice for defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, headed into a potentially explosive Senate confirmation hearing on Thursday.
Hegseth, a former TV show host and military veteran, is facing questions about allegations of sexual assault and excessive drinking, as well as his views on the current state of the U.S. military.
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, Jan. 20, despite potential opposition to some from both sides of the aisle.
During the hearing, Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Sen. Roger Wicker called Hegseth’s nomination to lead the Defense Department “unconventional” but equated the choice as fitting for Trump.
“Admittedly, this nomination is unconventional. The nominee is unconventional,” Wicker said.
Hegseth, Wicker said, was an unorthodox political figure “just like that New York developer who rode down the escalator,” in 2015.
Sen. Wicker Roger Wicker said Hegseth stands out because of his lack of Washington experience.
“Washington doesn’t build men like Pete. Combat builds men like Pete,” Wicker said.
Meanwhile, outgoing Republican Florida Rep. Mike Waltz, who’s leaving Congress for a position as Trump’s National Security Advisor, pushed that Hegseth’s military service as a “junior officer on the front lines” was what the Pentagon needed at this time.
“The status quo is unacceptable. It is not working,” Waltz said.
Hegseth then began delivering his opening remarks thanking Coleman and Waltz for their “mentorship” and “powerful words” respectively. He also said “officers and enlisted, Black and white, young and old, men and women, all Americans, all warriors — this hearing is for you. Thank you for figuratively, and literally, having my back. I pledge to do the same for you. All of you.”
Hegseth called the accusations of drinking and womanizing he would face from “left wing media” on “second and third hand accounts” a “coordinated smear campaign orchestrated in the media against us.” Hegseth said the attacks were about Trump, not him.
He did not specifically address any of the accusations and did not tell Chairman Wicker that he did not drink or womanize.
Protesters removed from Hegseth’s hearing
During Hegseth’s opening statements, a protester calling him a misogynist was removed from the hearing.
Wearing camouflage fatigues, the protestors stood on their chairs and began condemning Hegseth throughout his opening remarks. Each was swiftly dragged out from the hearing by Capitol Police.
One woman jumped up and yelled 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” she screamed as she was ushered out of the room. Another yelled that Hegseth supported “murdering babies…that’s the real recruiting crisis” he screamed as three officers carried him by his arms and legs out.
Several other people were approached by police and directed out of the room without any clear coercion.
Hegseth to answer 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.
Sen. Joni Ernst a must-watch at Hegseth hearing
Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, a veteran and sexual assault survivor, could play a pivotal role in Tuesday’s hearing. Ernst has met with Hegseth twice and described the discussions as productive.
Ahead of Tuesday’s hearing, both sides spoke about the significance of the event.
The hearing is expected to address 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.
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.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
