Pete Hegseth backed away from a number of his previous stances at his Tuesday confirmation hearing for Pentagon chief, taking a more conciliatory tone than he has in previous occasions.
President-elect Donald Trump’s Defense Department pick insisted he thought gay people could serve in the military and that women should be able to engage in combat — a shift from past comments.
“Politics has nothing to do with the battlefield, which is what President Trump has asked me to say,” Hegseth told the Senate Armed Services Committee. “This is about warfighting capability, setting standards high, and making sure we give our boys, our men and women, everything they need to be successful on the battlefield.”
Hegseth also gave a blanket denial of sexual assault allegations that have dogged his confirmation process.
“Our left-wing media in America today, sadly, doesn’t care about the truth,” he said. “All they were out to do was to destroy me because I’m a change agent and a threat to them. Despite the attacks, I stand committed to the truth and our warfighters.”
The expected nominee, who kept his cool under questioning, used his own experience to dismiss the idea that anyone should be unwelcome in the military. Hegseth noted that he volunteered to deploy to Afghanistan under President Barack Obama and as a member of the National Guard for the inauguration of President Joe Biden. He said he was denied because he was identified as an extremist by his unit over a controversial tattoo he described as “Christian.”
But Senate Democrats repeatedly expressed concerns about Hegseth’s qualifications, citing allegations of misconduct, financial mismanagement and views on diversity.
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) hounded Hegseth over his published work questioning the role of women in the military, at times quoting from his own book, “The War on Warriors.”
“Why should women in our military, if you were the secretary of Defense, believe that they would have a fair shot and an equal opportunity to rise through the ranks?” Shaheen asked.
Hegseth responded that his comments were “not about the capabilities of men and women. It’s about standards,” which he argued have been eroded in certain jobs and missions.
“Well, I appreciate your eleventh-hour conversion,” Shaheen shot back.
Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.), the committee’s top Democrat, was one of the most direct senators. “I do not believe that you are qualified to meet the overwhelming demands of this job,” he said.
Hegseth can still be confirmed despite Democrats’ attacks as long as Republicans remain united. And Tuesday’s hearing indicated he’s likely to get the votes he needs.
Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), a combat veteran and sexual assault survivor, is considered a pivotal vote on Hegseth’s nomination. While she didn’t say during the hearing how she’d vote, Ernst said she’d had “frank” discussions with Hegseth.
Ernst received a commitment from Hegseth that he would name a senior official dedicated to sexual assault prevention and response. She also pressed him on whether women will be able to continue to serve in combat roles. Hegseth said he would lead a gender neutral review “to ensure the standards have not been eroded.”
“Women will have access to ground combat roles, combat roles, given the standards remain high,” Hegseth told Ernst.
Republicans defended Trump’s pick, who was introduced by Rep. Mike Waltz (R-Fla.), the incoming White House national security adviser, and former Republican Sen. Norm Coleman, who has aided Hegseth during the confirmation process.
Armed Services Chair Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) called Hegseth an “excellent choice” who would give the Pentagon’s massive bureaucracy a much-needed shakeup. Wicker punctuated the hearing by submitting letters into the committee record from Hegseth’s supporters.
“Admittedly, this nomination is unconventional,” Wicker said. “He’s unconventional, just like that New York developer who rode down the escalator in 2015 to announce his candidacy for president.”
Wicker acknowledged allegations of misconduct against Hegseth but said most of them have come from “anonymous sources.” He contrasted them with allies who have publicly backed his bid for the job.
Hegseth repeated past statements that he’s changed with the help of religion and family, telling senators, “I’m not a perfect person, but redemption is real.”
The tenor of the hearing became apparent early. Hegseth’s opening statement was interrupted several times by protesters who were removed from the committee room by Capitol Police.
Hegseth argued Trump picked him because of his unconventional background, saying the president-elect wants a “change agent” at the Pentagon.
“It is true that I don’t have a similar biography to Defense secretaries of the last 30 years. But, as President Trump also told me, we’ve repeatedly placed people atop the Pentagon with supposedly ‘the right credentials’ — whether they are retired generals, academics, or defense contractor executives — and where has it gotten us?” Hegseth told senators.
“He believes, and I humbly agree, that it’s time to give someone with dust on his boots the helm.”
