Donald Trump’s surprising choice for the next Pentagon leader, Pete Hegseth, is about to face some tough questions. The former Fox News personality is set to undergo a confirmation hearing, and Democrats are gearing up to scrutinize his past and his qualifications to lead the Pentagon, the largest employer in the U.S. government.
When Trump announced his pick in November, it was a shocker to many. Almost immediately, reports surfaced about Hegseth’s troubled past, including allegations of sexual assault, issues with excessive drinking, and claims of financial mismanagement at veterans’ organizations. In an effort to address the concerns, Hegseth met with a number of Republican senators, trying to sway them in his favor.
Hegseth’s lawyer has confirmed that he paid a confidential settlement to the woman who accused him of assault, but Hegseth denies the claims. He also denies any financial mishandling of veterans’ organizations.
Despite these controversies, some Republican senators who were initially hesitant are now backing Hegseth’s nomination. In fact, Senate Majority Leader John Thune believes Hegseth has enough support to get confirmed. While Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso said Hegseth has the “qualities we need to lead the Pentagon,” he made it clear that each senator would make their own decision during the hearing.
The confirmation process isn’t over yet, though. Hegseth’s background check has been completed by the FBI, and according to his attorney, there was nothing “remarkable” found. However, the FBI did not share its findings with senators.
With Republicans controlling the Senate, Hegseth can afford to lose a few votes, but he still needs to clear the Senate Armed Services Committee to make it to the full Senate vote. And while some Republicans are rallying behind him, the committee’s Democrats have signaled they’ll challenge his qualifications, especially given his lack of senior leadership experience.
Hegseth has served in the Army National Guard and deployed to various locations, including Afghanistan, Iraq, and Guantanamo Bay, but Democrats like Senator Tammy Duckworth are questioning whether his experience is enough to handle the enormous responsibilities of the Pentagon, especially with a budget of over $800 billion and millions of personnel to manage.
If confirmed, Hegseth will take over from Lloyd Austin, a four-star general who has led the Pentagon with decades of military experience. So, can Hegseth step into those big shoes?
While some senators, like Joni Ernst from Iowa, are still undecided, others have voiced concerns about his qualifications. Even Democratic senators like Elizabeth Warren have a long list of questions for Hegseth, ranging from his stance on women in combat to his views on military leadership.
As the confirmation hearing kicks off, the spotlight is on Hegseth, and it will be interesting to see how he handles the scrutiny and whether he can secure the votes needed to lead the Pentagon.
