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Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Pentagon told US senators on Tuesday that a “smear campaign” was trying to prevent him from taking the job as he tried to convince them to approve his nomination.
Pete Hegsetha conservative former Fox News anchor, has faced repeated allegations of sexual misconduct, misogyny, excessive alcohol consumption and financial malfeasance since Trump nominated him to be his defense secretary.
In his US Senate at his confirmation hearing Wednesday, Hegseth derided the “left-wing media” and “anonymous sources” for what he said was an orchestrated effort to keep him from joining the next president’s administration.
“There was a coordinated smear campaign orchestrated in the media. . . most of it was about President Donald Trump having to suffer the same thing,” Hegseth said.
The former soldier, wearing a blue suit emblazoned with an American flag, entered the room to cheers from the audience and chants of “USA, USA, USA”.
“Get ’em Petey,” someone shouted from the rows filled with men in black hats “for Hegseth” as the nominee entered. Four people were removed from the hearing room during Hegseth’s opening statement, most of them shouting about the war in Gaza.
Hegseth’s burning in Washington comes as the Senate begins days of confirmation hearings on Trump’s Cabinet nominees, including controversial picks like vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to run the health department and Tulsi Gabbard to be director of national intelligence.
The Senate, where Republicans hold a majority, must approve Hegseth, but the nominee must first win approval from the powerful House Armed Services Committee, where Republicans hold 13 seats and Democrats hold 12.
Washington is watching as Republican Sen. Joni Ernst votes in the committee, as she has expressed concern about Hegseth’s views on women in combat roles and sexual assault in the military.
On Tuesday, Ernst, a former soldier, told Hegseth she wanted to make sure every woman got the chance to serve her country “at any level.”
Hegseth told her that women “will have access to ground combat roles, as standards remain high”, and pledged to appoint a senior-level official dedicated to preventing and responding to sexual assault.
Hegseth served in the National Guard, but most recently was a host on Fox News, where he railed against the “awakening” in the U.S. military and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. DEI’s policies in the military were to “divide the troops” and force “commanders to walk on eggshells,” Hegseth told the hearing.
The conservative firefighter was angered by writing that women are less effective than men in combat roles.
“When I talk about this issue, it’s not about the abilities of men and women. It’s about standards” that have been “broken,” Hegseth said.
“I don’t believe you are qualified to meet the enormous demands of this job,” Sen. Jack Reed, the committee’s leading Democrat, told Hegseth. “You lack the character and composure to hold your position.”
Hegseth’s shock pick to head the Pentagon initially alarmed some lawmakers in Congress, including Republicans, and prompted Trump to consider alternatives.
But the president-elect eventually publicly endorsed him, and after a series of meetings with Senate Republicans, his nomination looks much more promising.
“Pete Hegseth will be a GREAT Defense Secretary. He has my complete and total support. Good luck today, Pete!” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform ahead of his confirmation hearing.
Trump’s national security adviser, Mike Waltz, introduced Hegseth at the hearing and urged senators to confirm him.
“Admittedly, this nomination is unconventional,” acknowledged Roger Wicker, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee. But he called Hegseth “an excellent choice” and compared him to Trump.
Top Senate Republicans have signaled they believe Hegseth has enough votes to become defense secretary. Senate Majority Leader John Barrasso told CBS News on Sunday that the process is “going in the right direction.”
