Live Updates: Senators Grill Hegseth on Drinking, Sexual Assault Allegations and Women in the Military
"Mr. Hegseth said he wouldn’t drink if confirmed as defense secretary. He denied a sexual assault allegation and said that military standards should not be lowered to accommodate women. Democrats repeatedly called him unfit for the job.

Pinned
Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald J. Trump’s pick to lead the Pentagon, sought to defend himself against a raft of criticism during a confirmation hearing on Tuesday, as Democrats pressed him on his views about women in combat and support for convicted war criminals. Mr. Hegseth also claimed to have been the victim of a “smear campaign” that raised allegations of past misconduct.
But a key Republican member of the committee, Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa, a veteran and a sexual assault survivor, appeared satisfied with his responses to her questions about the role of women in the military and sexual assault prevention. Ms. Ernst, who is seen as critical to Mr. Hegseth’s confirmation chances, spent much of her time focusing on their agreement that the Pentagon should be audited.
In response to a recitation of the many allegations of personal misconduct that have been made against Hegseth, the nominee said: “I have failed in things in my life, and thankfully I’m redeemed by my lord and savior Jesus.” Falling back on religious claims of redemption appears to be Hegseth’s main line of defense for himself rather than offering substantive denials.
Senator Tim Kaine, Democrat of Virginia, refuted Hegseth’s characterization that the charges against him were anonymous. “You claim that this was all anonymous? We have seen records with names attached to all of these, including the name of your own mother,” Kaine said, adding: “So don’t make this into some anonymous press thing.”
Senator Tim Kaine asked about allegations from former colleagues who claimed that he drank excessively, his admitted extramarital affairs and the sexual assault allegation. Hegseth vigorously denied the allegations but also refused to say whether that behavior would be disqualifying for a defense secretary.
Hegseth has repeatedly said that he was “completely cleared” by a police investigation into an accusation that he raped a woman in Monterey California in 2017. In fact, the police referred the case to the prosecutor’s office, and prosecutors declined to charge him. That is not the same as being completely cleared.
Early in the hearing, Hegseth said that people who had positive things to say about him were ignored by the news media. But this New York Times article on his views over time about soldiers who were charged with war crimes quotes several people who served with and admired Hegseth.
Senator Mazie Hirono asked Hegseth a series of questions about accusations of sexual assault made against him. In response, he said he was falsely accused of sexual assault in 2017 and was “completely cleared.” The senator cast doubt on that assertion before moving on to questions about Hegseth’s use of alcohol in the workplace, and whether he would authorize American troops to shoot protesters.
Senator Mazie Hirono also asked Hegseth if he would commit to resigning if he drinks on the job as secretary of defense. Hegseth said, “I’ve made this commitment on behalf of the men and women I’m serving” - an apparent reference to his promise that he would not let a drop of liquor pass his lips if he is confirmed. He doesn’t answer whether he would resign if he breaks that promise.

Hegseth’s pledge to abstain from alcohol echoed that of another nominee for defense secretary, John Tower, who in 1989 said: “If confirmed, I won’t have a drink.” Tower also promised to resign if he faltered, but it still was not enough to overcome his reputation of being a carouser and the Senate voted him down.
Ernst used her time to get Hegseth to repeat publicly promises she had previously said he made to her in private: to support the role of men and women in the military provided they can meet certain standards, to appoint a senior officer to strengthen her past work to prevent sexual assault and rape in the military, and to conduct an audit of the Pentagon.
Senator Joni Ernst urges Hegseth, if confirmed, to stress that “every man and woman has opportunity to serve their country in uniform and do so at any level as long as they are meeting the standards that are set forward,” adding that she believes in high standards. Hegseth said he would support that with the caveats she articulated.
Nearly two hours into his Senate hearing, Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s choice to be defense secretary, has vigorously defended himself on a range of contentious issues, including a sexual assault allegation, his lack of management experience and his comments against women serving in combat.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Hegseth hinted at his disdain for the Pentagon’s diversity, equity and inclusion programs, saying “our standards will be high and they will be equal — not equitable.”
Blumenthal asked Hegseth repeatedly if he would agree to an expanded F.B.I. background check. Hegseth dodged, saying he wasn’t in charge of background checks. Democrats have criticized the background check as insufficiently thorough. According to several sources, the F.B.I. did not conduct a substantive interview of one of Hegseth’s ex-wives last week despite the fact she called the bureau repeatedly to try to set it up.

Senator Joni Ernst, Republican of Iowa, kicks off her testimony by submitting a letter from Hegseth’s successor at Concerned Veterans of America, praising his leadership skills. Ernst has not said yet whether she will vote for Hegseth, though she committed to support him going through the Senate’s confirmation process.
While Hegseth served as an infantry officer in the National Guard, there is no evidence that he attempted to attend the Army’s Ranger School — one of the most common leadership and small-unit tactics courses for infantry soldiers. Prior to 2015, women were prohibited from attending that course, but dozens have graduated from it since.
Military branches still require women to pass strict fitness tests for the most physically challenging specialty jobs, like the Army Rangers or Green Berets.
A small number of women have been able to meet the physical requirements to join those ranks.
No comments:
Post a Comment