Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Defence Secretary, defended his qualifications and vision during a contentious Senate confirmation hearing on Tuesday.
Hegseth outlined plans for social reform at the Pentagon, drawing on his knowledge as an Army National Guard veteran, and emphasized his determination to strengthening military preparation, control, and a “warrior philosophy.”
Sensations soon, however, began to polarize the reading as senators pressed him about previous misconduct allegations and questioned his eligibility for the prominent position.
Key features from the reading
Here’s how Hegseth defended his place in hopes of getting confirmed as Trump’s Defence Secretary
- On allegations of sexual misconduct
Senator Tim Kaine questioned Hegseth’s figure after previous allegations of sexual misconduct, saying,” Can you so lightly lie on a second woman and lie on the family of a child two times before? How is that absolutely cleared? ” In reaction, Hegseth insisted “ I have been erroneously charged– entirely, fully investigated, and totally cleared. ”
- Public alcohol
Senator Mark Kelly brought up cases of alleged wrongdoing in Hegseth’s organization Concerned Veterans of America, stating that you had to get drunk on Memorial Day 2014 at a CVA function in Virginia in order to get out of the event. To this, Hegseth frequently responded “Anonymous insinuations. Hegseth was questioned by Senator Mazie Hirono about whether he would withdraw if he disregarded his vow to abstain from alcohol. Hegseth replied, “ I have made the commitment not to consume. ”
- People in the war
The hearing’s focus was on Hegseth’s prior remarks about women in battle. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand emailed him to define his position on girls playing fight jobs. Hegseth responded,” I respect each and every female service representative who has donned the even.” My criticism… have there been cases where criteria have been lowered. ”
- Military authority and wokeness
Despite conversations about blasting “woke” generals, Senator Kevin Cramer urged Hegseth to supply military command a opportunity under new management. Hegseth responded,” When Donald Trump is sworn in, he may issue a new set of constitutional directions, and the management of our companies will have an opportunity to observe those constitutional orders or not.” “” In Donald Trump’s Pentagon, there will be genuine criteria for accomplishment,” he added.
- Jerusalem Cross scar discussion
Senator Kevin Cramer questioned Hegseth about his Jerusalem Cross scar, which some have labeled an radical. Hegseth defended it as a “historic Christian symbol. ” ” He expressed anger at being “identified as an radical ” because of the tattoo. “ I had orders to come to Washington, D. C. to protect the inauguration, ” Hegseth explained, recounting how his orders were immediately revoked. “ I had never had directions revoked earlier. I have been given numerous requests to do a lot of challenging and dangerous tasks. ”
- The word “jagoff”
Senator Jack Reed asked Hegseth to explain the term “jagoff, ” a reference from his 2024 book The War on Warriors. Hegseth initially resisted defining the vernacular but finally said, “It’s a Jaguar commander who puts his or her interests ahead of warfighters, their offers, their awards, instead of supporting those on the top lines. ”
