Trump’s pick for defence secretary, Pete Hegseth, blames media ‘smear campaign’ for allegations

Republican president-elect Donald Trump’s choose to steer the Pentagon, former Fox Information host Pete Hegseth, got here underneath fireplace early at a Senate affirmation listening to on issues starting from range within the army to allegations of defending accused conflict criminals.

Hegseth’s efficiency earlier than the Senate’s armed companies committee might decide his destiny, at the same time as Republicans maintain a six-seat benefit within the chamber total. The slim Republican Senate majority implies that Hegseth can lose assist from not more than three senators to be confirmed, if Democrats and independents Bernie Sanders and Angus King unite towards him.

Cupboard nominees virtually by no means lose Senate votes, as a result of they’re usually withdrawn in the event that they appear to be in bother.

Hegseth, who has little administration expertise, can be in control of a company with a virtually $1-trillion US finances, 1.3 million active-duty service members and practically a million civilian employees.

The subsequent secretary of defence will face numerous main abroad points, together with lively conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza and the growth of China’s army, although over the primary few hours of questioning, there was little time spent on these challenges.

Extreme ingesting, sexual assault allegations

Plenty of episodes have sparked concern amongst largely Democratic lawmakers, together with a 2017 sexual assault allegation that didn’t end in prices and that Hegseth strongly denies. Hegseth admitted paying a settlement to the girl making that allegation, however mentioned it was accomplished to forestall a pricey and drawn-out course of.

Different accusations have concerned extreme ingesting and monetary mismanagement at veterans’ organizations.

Hegseth characterised lots of the experiences as amounting to a “co-ordinated smear marketing campaign” from the “left-wing media.”

Hegseth’s opening assertion was interrupted thrice by protesters who have been faraway from the chamber.

The 44-year-old has railed towards range, fairness and inclusion (DEI) initiatives within the army and has questioned whether or not the highest U.S. normal has the job as a result of he is Black. Previous to his nomination, Hegseth strongly opposed ladies in fight roles.

WATCH l Trump’s defence secretary choose Pete Hegseth will get grilled at affirmation listening to:

Trump’s defence secretary choose Pete Hegseth will get grilled at affirmation listening to

President-elect Donald Trump’s choose for defence secretary, former Fox Information host Pete Hegseth, got here underneath fireplace at a Senate affirmation listening to Tuesday. Hegseth was grilled on issues starting from range within the army to allegations of defending accused conflict criminals.

Hegseth mentioned he would assist ladies serving in fight roles offered that the requirements to take action weren’t altered.

Earlier, he had testified he would deal with ladies and minorities pretty if he was confirmed for the job, however added that he would evaluate army requirements that prioritize gender or race.

“I’d be honoured to have the chance to serve alongside you, shoulder to shoulder, women and men, black, white, all backgrounds with a shared goal,” mentioned Hegseth.

“You’ll be handled pretty and with dignity, honour and respect,” he added.

Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen mentioned the remarks have been welcome however represented an “Eleventh-hour conversion,” noting {that a} chapter in one among his books was entitled, The (Lethal) Obsession with Girls Warriors.

Prime Republican says ‘unconventional’ selection is required

In current weeks, Trump’s occasion has coalesced across the Hegseth choose.

“Admittedly, this nomination is unconventional,” mentioned Mississippi Sen. Roger Wicker, the Republican who leads the committee. “The nominee is unconventional, identical to that New York developer (Trump) who rode down the escalator in 2015 to announce his candidacy for president.”

However, Wicker mentioned, an unconventional selection could also be what is critical to handle what he described as shortcomings within the fight readiness and deterrence capabilities of the U.S. army.

Hegseth greater than as soon as on Tuesday spoke of looking for to deliver a “warrior tradition” to the army, at the same time as Trump has expressed his tendency, the place potential, towards involving U.S. troops in overseas wars.

Throughout Trump’s first time period, Hegseth lobbied the president on behalf of Navy Seal Eddie Gallagher, Maj. Matthew Golsteyn and Lt. Clint Lorance earlier than army tribunals involving the lads had been accomplished. Every man was going through accusations of conflict crimes.

Trump finally granted clemency to Golsteyn and Lorance, and elevated Gallagher in rank. Gallagher had been acquitted of prices in a controversial case.

Democratic Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island, a former service member, mentioned Hegseth can be the primary defence secretary out of 9 that he’ll finally reject. Reed mentioned Hegseth’s advocacy on behalf of the alleged conflict criminals was disturbing, as was his defence of the usage of waterboarding when interrogating army prisoners.

Addressing Hegseth, Reed mentioned “the totality of your individual writings and alleged conduct would disqualify any service member from holding any management place … a lot much less being confirmed because the secretary of defence.

The final nominee for the function who was defeated was former senator John Tower in 1989. Tower was investigated over claims of drunkenness and inappropriate behaviour with ladies.

This week’s hearings

Affirmation listening to dates haven’t been established for nominees Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (well being and human companies secretary), Tulsi Gabbard (director of nationwide intelligence), Kash Patel (FBI director), Howard Lutnik (commerce) and Elise Stefanik (ambassador to the United Nations).

Hearings will happen this week, carried out by varied congressional committees, as follows:

• Pam Bondi, legal professional normal nominee, Wednesday.
• Sean Duffy, transportation secretary nominee, Wednesday.
• Kristi Noem, Homeland Safety secretary nominee, Wednesday.
• John Ratcliffe, CIA director nominee, Wednesday.
• Marco Rubio, secretary of state nominee, Wednesday.
• Chris Wright, vitality secretary nominee, Wednesday.
• Scott Bessent, Treasury secretary nominee, Thursday.
• Doug Burgum, secretary of the inside nominee, Thursday.
• Scott Turner, housing and concrete improvement secretary nominee, Thursday.
• Lee Zeldin, Environmental Safety Company administrator nominee, Thursday.