Pete Hegseth vowed to revive “warrior ethos” to the army Tuesday at the same time as President-elect Trump’s controversial Protection Secretary nominee confronted robust grilling from Democrats at a Senate affirmation listening to.
Trump’s choose to steer the Pentagon mentioned he would restore energy to a army that he recommended has been hollowed out by “woke” insurance policies, variety initiatives and mismanagement, claims Democratic lawmakers strongly dispute.
“The primary charge President Trump gave me was to bring the warrior culture back to the Department of Defense,” Hegseth mentioned in a gap assertion. “He, like me, wants a Pentagon laser focused on lethality, meritocracy, war fighting, accountability and readiness.”
Hegseth claims he’s uniquely certified to steer the three million-strong U.S. army although he lacks something near the standard supervisory expertise typical of a nominee for the put up.
“It’s time to give someone with dust on his boots a chance,” Hegseth mentioned. “My only special interest is the war fighter.”
Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s option to be Protection secretary, seems earlier than the Senate Armed Providers Committee for his affirmation listening to, on the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. (AP Photograph/J. Scott Applewhite)
Hegseth largely stored his cool as he was quizzed about his checkered private historical past and lack of management expertise.
He additionally brings a jarring document of previous statements and actions, together with allegations of sexual assault and extreme ingesting. He has vowed to not drink alcohol if he’s confirmed to steer the Pentagon.
Hegseth dismissed the allegations, together with one which led him to pay a settlement to a lady who accused him of rape, as “second and third-hand” rumors unfold by liberal enemies.
Trump strongly backed his Pentagon choose, saying Hegseth has “my complete and total support” in a morning put up on his social media website.
One of many greatest threats to Hegseth’s affirmation comes from his outspokenly derisive views about ladies in army fight roles, minorities and “woke” generals.
A protestor is eliminated throughout a Senate Armed Providers Committee affirmation listening to for Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s option to be Protection secretary, on the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. (AP Photograph/Ben Curtis)
He was requested to reply for his feedback that girls ought to “straight up” not be in fight roles within the army, a view he sought to melt following current conferences with senators.
“The totality of your own writings and alleged conduct would disqualify any service member from holding any leadership position in the military, much less being confirmed as the Secretary of Defense,” mentioned Sen. Jack Reed (D-Rhode Island).
Hegseth insisted that he reveres all service members, together with ladies within the ranks and minorities. He framed his criticism of girls in fight and Range, Fairness and Inclusion insurance policies, or DEI, as a means of defending “high standards” for varied roles within the army.
He claimed he spoke for all members of the army, together with “officers and enlisted, Black and white, young and old, men and women, all Americans.”
“All warriors, this hearing is for you,” he mentioned.
Jennifer Rauchet, the spouse of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Protection Pete Hegseth, sits behind him throughout his Senate Armed Providers affirmation listening to on Capitol Hill on January 14, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photograph by Andrew Harnik/Getty Photos)
Two former feminine fight veterans, Republican Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa and Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, are among the many lawmakers who had been questioning him on the Armed Providers Committee.
Hegseth’s expertise within the Military Nationwide Guard is extensively considered as an asset for the job and he peppered his solutions with references to serving on the bottom in fight. carrying heavy backpacks and grieving for fallen comrades.
Initially Revealed: January 14, 2025 at 11:32 AM EST
