President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, found himself facing tough questions at his Senate confirmation hearing on Tuesday, where he defended his military experience and vowed to create a “warrior culture” at the Pentagon. But the hearing quickly turned heated as Hegseth was grilled about allegations of sexual assault, excessive drinking, and controversial views on women in combat.
Hegseth, a former Army National Guard officer and TV personality, repeatedly dismissed the accusations, calling them a “smear campaign” while redirecting focus to his own military service. When asked about the sexual assault allegation, he firmly denied it, and he also brushed off questions about drinking on the job. In a commitment to the Senate, he promised he would not drink alcohol if confirmed. When pressed on his past marital infidelity, Hegseth admitted, “I am not a perfect person.”
The four-hour hearing was intense, with senators from both parties questioning whether Hegseth was qualified to lead the Pentagon. Republicans defended him, with Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi likening him to Trump, saying he would bring “energy and fresh ideas” to shake up the bureaucracy. However, the top Democrat on the committee, Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island, expressed serious concerns, calling the allegations against Hegseth “extremely alarming” and stating flatly, “I do not believe that you are qualified to meet the overwhelming demands of this job.”
Hegseth, 44, is a new generation of veterans who served in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. While his military background is seen as an asset, his lack of senior military or national security experience has raised red flags. His past comments and actions have also been controversial, particularly regarding women, minorities, and his outspoken criticism of “woke” generals.
The confirmation process is part of a rush to confirm Trump’s nominees before Inauguration Day on January 20. With a slim Republican majority, GOP senators will need to rally behind Hegseth if Democrats oppose him. Outside groups, including the Heritage Foundation, are pushing hard to support his nomination, running expensive campaigns to back him up.
The hearing was not without drama, as protesters disrupted proceedings briefly, while some of Hegseth’s supporters—many dressed in military-themed clothing—watched from the audience. At times, Hegseth became combative, especially when questioned about his views on diversity and women in the military.
Senators, particularly female Democrats, didn’t hold back. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire called Hegseth out on his shift in position regarding women in combat, asking, “Which is it?” Meanwhile, Sen. Kristen Gillibrand of New York challenged Hegseth directly, telling him, “You will have to change how you see women to do this job.” Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, a disabled veteran who lost both legs in combat, also made a strong statement, telling Hegseth that the troops “cannot be led by someone who is not competent.”
Hegseth’s record on diversity came up as well. When questioned about his opposition to diversity initiatives, he admitted the military had been a leader in racial integration but argued that modern policies are divisive and don’t prioritize meritocracy.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal from Connecticut asked whether Hegseth would agree to a fuller FBI background check, but Hegseth dodged the question, saying it was up to the Trump transition team, not him.
Republican senators, meanwhile, stuck by Hegseth. Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma reminded everyone that “we’ve all made mistakes,” and Sen. Eric Schmitt of Missouri called him a “breath of fresh air” for his comments on tearing down “diversity” and “critical race theory” initiatives in military institutions.
Hegseth, a former co-host of Fox & Friends Weekend, has been largely unknown in political circles, but Trump, who is a big fan of the network, seemed to take notice. Hegseth has a Princeton degree and served in the Army National Guard from 2002 to 2021, with deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, earning two Bronze Stars. But his lack of senior military experience and his polarizing views have raised doubts about whether he’s truly prepared to take on the Pentagon’s top job.
One of the most serious concerns centers around a 2017 allegation of sexual assault, which Hegseth has denied. The case, which involved a woman accusing him of assault at a Republican women’s event, was later settled out of court. If confirmed, Hegseth would step into a role overseeing the U.S. military as it faces a variety of global and domestic challenges, including recruitment, retention, and a strained budget. The defense secretary is also responsible for making critical decisions about troop deployments, military strategy, and international security partnerships.
With the Senate confirmation process just getting started, Hegseth’s path to confirmation could still face significant hurdles, but his supporters are determined to see him through.
