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Donald Trump’s pick to run the Pentagon told U.S. senators on Tuesday that a “smear campaign” is trying to prevent him from taking the job while he tries to persuade them to approve his appointment.
Conservative former Fox News host Pete Hegseth is again facing accusations of sexual assault, misogyny, excessive drinking and financial misconduct since Trump nominated him to be defense secretary.
During his U.S. Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday, Hegseth mocked the “left-wing media” and “anonymous sources” for what he described as an organized effort to prevent him from joining the next president’s administration.
“There was a coordinated smear campaign orchestrated by the media. . . . Much of it was about the same thing President Donald Trump had to endure,” Hegseth said.
The former soldier, wearing a blue suit with an American flag pocket square, was greeted with a standing ovation and chants of “USA, USA, USA” as he entered the room.
“You got ’em, Petey,” someone in a black “for Hegseth” hat shouted as the nominees came in. During Hegseth’s opening statement, four people were led out of the hearing room, most of them shouting about the Gaza war.
Hegseth’s questioning in Washington came as the Senate began days of confirmation hearings for Trump’s cabinet nominees, including vaccine skeptic Robert F Kennedy Jr as health secretary and Toole. Controversial picks include Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence.
The Republican-majority Senate must confirm Hegseth, but the nominee must first win approval from the House’s powerful Armed Services Committee, which has 13 seats held by Republicans and 12 held by Democrats.
Washington is watching Republican Sen. Joni Ernst’s vote on the committee as she raises concerns about Hegseth’s stance on female combat roles and sexual assault in the military.
Ernst, a former soldier, told Heges on Tuesday that she wants to ensure every woman has the opportunity to serve her country “and at any level.”
Hegseth told her that women would “have the opportunity to serve in ground combat roles” given that standards remained high, and pledged to appoint a senior officer dedicated to sexual assault prevention and response.
Hegseth, who served in the Army National Guard but most recently served as a Fox News host, decried the U.S. military’s “wokeness” and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives on his show. Hegseth told the hearing that DEI’s military policy is to “divide the military” and force “commanders to walk on thin ice.”
The conservative firebrand was grilled for writing that women were less effective than men in combat roles.
“When I talk about this issue, it’s not about the ability of men and women. It’s about the ‘erosion’ of standards,” Hegseth said.
“I don’t think you’re qualified to meet the overwhelming requirements of this job,” Sen. Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the committee, told Hegseth. “You lack the character and composure to hold this position.”
Hegseth’s shock choice for the Pentagon’s top job initially alarmed some members of Congress, including Republicans, and prompted Trump to consider other options.
But the president-elect ended up publicly backing him, and his nomination looked more promising after a series of meetings with Senate Republicans.
“Pete Hegseth will be a great Secretary of Defense. He has my full support. Good luck today, Pete!” Trump posted on his Truth social platform ahead of his confirmation hearing.
Trump-appointed national security adviser Mike Walz introduced Hegseth at the hearing and urged senators to confirm his nomination.
“Admittedly, this nomination is unconventional,” acknowledged Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker. But he called Hegers an “excellent choice” and likened the nominee to Trump.
Top Senate Republicans said they believed Hegers had the votes to be elected defense secretary. Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso told CBS News on Sunday that the process “is moving in the right direction.”
