By Phil Stewart, Idrees Ali and Patricia Zengerle
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -President-elect Donald Trump’s choose to guide the Pentagon, Pete Hegseth, got here beneath fireplace throughout his affirmation listening to on Tuesday as Democrats railed in opposition to him and voiced deep concern about his inexperience, alleged drunkenness and previous opposition to ladies in fight.
Hegseth, a former Fox Information host, is likely one of the most controversial figures ever nominated to be Secretary of Protection. The 44-year-old slammed variety, fairness and inclusion initiatives within the army, and, in his newest e-book, questioned whether or not the highest U.S. normal has the job as a result of he is Black.
Previous to his nomination, Hegseth strongly opposed ladies in fight roles however walked again that stance throughout essentially the most contentious affirmation listening to in reminiscence for a U.S. protection secretary.
“Mr. Hegseth, I do not believe that you are qualified to meet the overwhelming demands of this job,” mentioned Senator Jack Reed, the rating member of the Senate Armed Companies Committee.
Reed criticized an FBI investigation into Hegseth’s previous, saying it didn’t sufficiently examine intensive allegations in opposition to him. The FBI declined remark.
Plenty of episodes have sparked concern amongst lawmakers, together with a 2017 sexual assault allegation in opposition to Hegseth that didn’t end in costs and which he denies. He has additionally been accused of extreme ingesting and monetary mismanagement at veterans’ organizations. Hegseth has vowed to abstain from alcohol if confirmed and mentioned he made some monetary errors however denies any wrongdoing.
Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand slammed Hegseth’s previous remarks about ladies within the U.S. army, saying he must essentially change how he sees ladies who represent 18% of the U.S. army.
“We have hundreds – HUNDREDS – of women who serve in the infantry, lethal members of our military … But you degrade them,” Gillibrand mentioned, elevating her voice in a heated alternate.
“Please explain these types of statements because they’re brutal, and they’re mean.”
Regardless of sturdy help from Trump’s Republicans, Hegseth’s affirmation might rely upon his efficiency earlier than the committee. As Hegseth walked into the packed listening to room, he was greeted with cheers and a standing ovation from supporters, with chants of “USA, USA, USA” and a shout of “Get ’em, Petey.”
Senator Roger Wicker, the Republican who leads the committee, endorsed Hegseth, saying: “Admittedly, this nomination is unconventional. The nominee is unconventional.”
“Regarding his personal conduct, Mr. Hegseth has admitted to falling short, as we all do from time to time,” Wicker mentioned.
‘ACCOUNTABILITY IS COMING’
Hegseth’s opening remarks to the committee, praising Trump, had been repeatedly interrupted by protesters. He vowed to carry again a warrior tradition to the U.S. army and mentioned “accountability is coming” for individuals who fall quick.
Reuters was first to report that Trump’s incoming administration is drawing up an inventory of generals to fireside.
“(Trump) believes, and I humbly agree, that it’s time to give someone with dust on his boots the helm. A change agent,” Hegseth mentioned.
When requested about his remarks opposing ladies in fight, Hegseth cited the necessity to remove quotas for frontline roles. Gillibrand fired again that no such quotas exist.
He later instructed Republican Senator Joni Ernst, herself a veteran, that he would help ladies in fight roles “given the standards remain high, and we will have a review to ensure the standards have not been eroded.”
Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth, a U.S. Military veteran who misplaced each legs throughout fight in Iraq, chided Hegseth over gaps in his information of overseas coverage and his lack of administration expertise. She flatly declared him unprepared to guide the Pentagon.
“You say you care about keeping our armed forces strong … then let’s not lower the standards for you. You sir, are a no-go at this station,” Duckworth mentioned.
In a 2021 incident first reported by Reuters, Hegseth was branded an “insider threat” by a fellow member of the Military Nationwide Guard over his tattoos. Hegseth famous the incident in the course of the listening to, which led him to be pulled from Guard obligation in Washington throughout President Joe Biden’s inauguration.
In latest weeks, Trump’s occasion has coalesced round his choose.
Nonetheless, the slim Republican Senate majority signifies that Hegseth can lose help from not more than three senators to be confirmed, if Democrats and independents unite in opposition to him.
Cupboard nominees virtually by no means lose Senate votes, as a result of they sometimes are withdrawn in the event that they appear to be in hassle.
The final nominee who was defeated was former Senator John Tower, a nominee to be Secretary of Protection, in 1989. Tower was investigated over claims of drunkenness and inappropriate habits with ladies.
If confirmed, Hegseth may make good on Trump’s guarantees to rid the army of generals he accuses of pursuing progressive variety insurance policies.
Hegseth, who has little administration expertise, can be in command of a company with an almost $1 trillion price range, 1.3 million active-duty service members and practically 1 million civilian staff.
The following secretary of protection will face quite a lot of main abroad points, together with lively conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza and the enlargement of China’s army, points that acquired solely glancing consideration throughout a listening to targeted much more on tradition struggle points.
