Pete Hegseth vowed to restore “warrior ethos” to the military Tuesday even as President-elect Trump’s controversial Defense Secretary nominee faced tough grilling from Democrats at a Senate confirmation hearing.
Trump’s pick to lead the Pentagon said he would restore strength to a military that he suggested has been hollowed out by “woke” policies, diversity 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 said in an opening statement. “He, like me, wants a Pentagon laser focused on lethality, meritocracy, war fighting, accountability and readiness.”
Hegseth claims he is uniquely qualified to lead the 3 million-strong U.S. military even though he lacks anything close to the traditional supervisory experience typical of a nominee for the post.
“It’s time to give someone with dust on his boots a chance,” Hegseth said. “My only special interest is the war fighter.”
Hegseth mostly kept his cool as he was quizzed about his checkered personal history and lack of leadership experience.
He also brings a jarring record of past statements and actions, including allegations of sexual assault and excessive drinking. He has vowed not to drink alcohol if he is confirmed to lead the Pentagon.
Hegseth dismissed the allegations, including one that led him to pay a settlement to a woman who accused him of rape, as “second and third-hand” rumors spread by liberal enemies.
Trump strongly backed his Pentagon pick, saying Hegseth has “my complete and total support” in a morning post on his social media site.
Hegseth, a former Fox News host with scant management experience in the military or in the private sector, is considered among the most endangered of Trump’s Cabinet choices. With only a narrow GOP majority, Hegseth like needs the backing of almost all Republican senators.
One of the biggest threats to Hegseth’s confirmation comes from his outspokenly derisive views about women in military combat roles, minorities and “woke” generals.
He was asked to answer for his comments that women should “straight up” not be in combat roles in the military, a view he sought to soften following recent meetings 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,” said Sen. Jack Reed (D-Rhode Island).
Hegseth insisted that he reveres all service members, including women in the ranks and minorities. He framed his criticism of women in combat and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policies, or DEI, as a way of defending “high standards” for various roles in the military.
He claimed he spoke for all members of the military, including “officers and enlisted, Black and white, young and old, men and women, all Americans.”
“All warriors, this hearing is for you,” he said.
Two former female combat veterans, Republican Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa and Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, are among the lawmakers who were questioning him at the Armed Services Committee.
Hegseth’s experience in the Army National Guard is widely viewed as an asset for the job and he peppered his answers with references to serving on the ground in combat. carrying heavy backpacks and grieving for fallen comrades.
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