No Republican member of the Senate Armed Services Committee expressed any doubt about Pete Hegseth’s qualifications to serve as secretary of defense during his hearing on Tuesday. Barring a surprise, the former Fox News host and army veteran should therefore receive the green light from the Republican majority of this commission, a prelude to his confirmation by all senators. But his hearing was marked by contradictions which cast doubt on the candor or honesty of Donald Trump’s choice.
Hegseth admitted that he had not always led the life of a saint, an allusion to his drinking problems and extramarital affairs. But he says all that is in the past since he married his third wife and received the grace of Jesus Christ, his savior and redeemer. The problem is, Hegseth refused to acknowledge the credibility of any of his former colleagues’ testimonies about his drinking binges while running nonprofits or while working at Fox News.
Arizona Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly referenced a series of allegations when asking Hegseth whether they were true or false. Hegseth refused to answer questions the way Kelly asked him to do, instead saying each time they were “anonymous smears.” This was despite Kelly telling him that these allegations were not anonymous but came from colleagues whose names were in a whistleblower report.
“What is it about?” Have you overcome personal issues or are you the target of a smear campaign? It can’t be both,” the senator said. He later added: “It is clear to me that you are not being honest with us or with the American people because you know the truth would keep you from getting the job.” »
Hegseth also declined to directly answer a question from Virginia Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine related to the sexual assault accusation he faced in 2017. “You can’t tell me if someone who has committed sexual assault is disqualified from serving as Secretary of Defense? asked Kaine.
“Senator, I know that in my case – and I’m only talking about my case – it was a false allegation,” Hegseth responded.
Kaine then asked Hegseth if he had ever committed an act of physical violence against any of his three wives. Hegseth denied it, while refusing to say whether such behavior would be disqualifying. Kaine’s questions led to Hegseth’s most awkward moment of the audition.
The hearing also failed to resolve the contradictions between Hegseth’s opposition to the presence of women in combat units, opposition expressed in books and interviews, and his current position, which is favorable to it. Referring to Hegseth’s derogatory remarks about female combatants, New York Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand said: “Please explain these types of statements, because they are brutal and mean and they disrespect men and women. women who are willing to die for this country. »
Hegseth dodged the question, saying only that women have a place in combat units as long as they meet standards. Illinois Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth, who lost both legs in Iraq, later said, “You are not qualified, Mr. Hegseth.” You’re asking us to lower the standards to make you Secretary of Defense just because you’re a president-elect’s crony. »
-Remarkably, Hegseth did not outright reject the idea of ordering soldiers to open fire on protesters.
Republican senators criticized their Democratic colleagues’ questions, described Hegseth as a breath of fresh air and framed questions intended to make him look good. One even asked him how many push-ups he could do.
“I did five sets of 47 [pompes] this morning,” he replied.
Mississippi Republican Sen. Roger Wicker, chairman of the committee, said he was pleased with how Hegseth’s hearing went. “It’s clear he’s had marital problems,” he said. “It’s clear he’s had problems in the past. I think he overcame them. »
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