Senator Murkowski Releases Statement on Hegseth Nomination

01.23.25

Washington, DC – At the moment, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) launched the next assertion on her determination to vote in opposition to confirming Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Protection:

“Since Mr. Hegseth’s nomination final November, I’ve met with him and thoroughly reviewed his writings, varied experiences, and different pertinent supplies. I carefully adopted his listening to earlier than the Senate Armed Providers Committee and gathered substantial suggestions from organizations, veterans, and Alaskans. After thorough analysis, I need to conclude that I can’t in good conscience assist his nomination for Secretary of Protection. I didn’t make this determination evenly; I take my constitutional duty to supply recommendation and consent with the utmost seriousness.

I commend Pete Hegseth’s service to our nation, together with main troops in fight and advocating for our veterans. Nonetheless, these accomplishments don’t alleviate my important issues relating to his nomination. Managing the Division of Protection requires huge expertise and experience because the division is without doubt one of the most complicated and highly effective organizations on the earth, and Mr. Hegseth’s prior roles in his profession don’t reveal to me that he’s ready for such immense duty. His management of two veteran organizations was marked with accusations of economic mismanagement and issues with the office tradition he fostered.

Though he has just lately revised his statements on girls in fight since being nominated, I stay involved concerning the message that confirming Mr. Hegseth sends to girls presently serving and people aspiring to affix. Girls have served our nation with distinction, overcoming immense obstacles to excel in fight and management roles, and so they need to know that their chief honors and values their dedication to our nation.

Whereas the allegations of sexual assault and extreme ingesting do nothing to quiet my issues, the previous behaviors Mr. Hegseth has admitted to, together with infidelity on a number of events, reveal an absence of judgment that’s unbecoming of somebody who would lead our armed forces. These behaviors starkly distinction the values and self-discipline anticipated of servicemembers. Women and men in uniform are held accountable for such actions, and so they deserve leaders who uphold these similar requirements.

Above all, I consider that character is the defining trait required of the Secretary of Protection, and should be prioritized with out compromise. The chief of the Division of Protection should reveal and mannequin the requirements of habits and character we anticipate of all servicemembers, and Mr. Hegseth’s nomination to the function poses important issues that I can’t overlook. Given the worldwide safety surroundings we’re working in, it’s important that we verify a Secretary of Protection, nonetheless, I remorse that I’m unable to assist Mr. Hegseth.”