Trump's Pentagon pick grilled by senators as cabinet hearings begin
Controversial Pentagon nominee Pete Hegseth faced tough questions from senators Tuesday about his views on women serving in combat and his qualifications to lead the Defense Department as confirmation hearings for Donald Trump's cabinet picks get underway.
Pentagon nominee Pete Hegseth faced a contentious Senate confirmation hearing Tuesday, with intense scrutiny from lawmakers over his views on women in combat roles and his suitability to lead the Department of Defense. The hearings marked the start of Donald Trump’s cabinet confirmation process.
While Senate Republicans are pushing for swift confirmations, Democrats are determined to challenge nominees they view as unqualified. Hegseth, a former Army National Guard officer and Fox News host, encountered tough questions from Senate Armed Services Committee Democrats, though Republicans largely signaled their support.
Hegseth reiterated his opposition to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, arguing they undermine meritocracy and harm military cohesion. However, he tempered previous criticisms of women in combat, acknowledging their service and commitment but stressing that standards must remain rigorous.
“Women will have access to combat roles... provided the standards remain high,” Hegseth told the committee, attempting to soften comments he made in November 2024 opposing women in combat.
Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth, a double amputee who served in Iraq, was unconvinced. “The U.S. military owes much to the extraordinary women who serve,” Duckworth said. “You, however, have not earned the position of secretary of defense.”
Concerns also arose about Hegseth’s personal conduct and experience. When questioned about managing an organization as large as the Pentagon, he admitted he had never overseen anything comparable in scale.
Ranking Democrat Senator Jack Reed did not mince words: “Mr. Hegseth, I find you unqualified for the immense demands of this role.” Reed cited allegations of war crimes, financial mismanagement, sexist and racist remarks, alcohol abuse, and sexual misconduct against Hegseth.
Hegseth dismissed the accusations as part of a "coordinated smear campaign," stating, “I’m not perfect, but redemption is real,” and denying claims of sexual assault and alcohol abuse.
To secure confirmation, Hegseth can only afford to lose three Republican votes if all Democrats and independents oppose him. Despite the backlash, he retains Trump’s support, and many Senate Republicans appear willing to give him a chance.
Other controversial nominees include former Democratic congresswoman-turned-Trump ally Tulsi Gabbard, picked for director of national intelligence, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a vocal anti-vaccine advocate nominated for secretary of health and human services.
Meanwhile, more straightforward confirmations are expected for Republican Senator Marco Rubio, nominated for secretary of state, and homeland security pick Kristi Noem. Rubio, a foreign policy hawk, has bipartisan support and is expected to be confirmed before Trump’s inauguration on January 20.
Hearings for other contentious nominees, including Kash Patel for FBI director, remain unscheduled but are anticipated to spark intense debate.
This article was reported by journalist Jimmy.