{"id":13872,"date":"2025-01-15T01:57:10","date_gmt":"2025-01-15T01:57:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/infundpros.com\/?p=13872"},"modified":"2025-01-15T01:57:10","modified_gmt":"2025-01-15T01:57:10","slug":"trump-pentagon-pick-pete-hegseth-nears-us-senate-approval-after-testy-hearing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/infundpros.com\/?p=13872","title":{"rendered":"Trump Pentagon pick Pete Hegseth nears US Senate approval after testy hearing"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Donald Trump\u2019s controversial pick to run the Pentagon was poised for confirmation by the US Senate, after he secured the backing of crucial Republicans following a testy hearing in which he claimed he was a victim of a \u201csmear campaign\u201d to stop him taking the job. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Pete Hegseth faced a sometimes hostile Senate committee on Tuesday as he tried to bat away allegations about sexual assault and alcohol abuse that have dogged the former Fox News host since Trump nominated him to be his secretary of defence.<\/p>\n

But after the proceedings, Senator Joni Ernst \u2014 considered a possible holdout \u2014 said she would support Hegseth\u2019s nomination, all but ensuring he gets the nod from the chamber\u2019s powerful armed service committee and paving the way for his confirmation by the full Senate.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter four years of weakness in the White House, Americans deserve a strong Secretary of Defense,\u201d Ernst said in a statement, adding that she would support Hegseth to run the department. <\/p>\n

Hegseth used the four-hour hearing to deride \u201cleftwing media\u201d and \u201canonymous sources\u201d for what he said was an organised effort to keep him from joining the next president\u2019s administration.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere was a co-ordinated smear campaign orchestrated in the media\u2009.\u2009.\u2009.\u2009most of it was about President Donald Trump, who\u2019s had to endure the very same thing,\u201d Hegseth said. Later, he said he had been \u201cfully investigated and completely cleared\u201d, calling the allegations \u201cfalse charges\u201d.<\/p>\n

He also dismissed reports of him being drunk at work, including at Fox News, calling them \u201cfalse, anonymous reports peddled by MSNBC\u201d.<\/p>\n

The hearing offered a first taste of the fireworks expected as many of Trump\u2019s controversial nominees for government come before the Senate, which must vote to approve them. <\/p>\n

The former soldier, who wore a blue suit adorned with an American flag pocket square, entered the room to a standing ovation from spectators and chants of \u201cUSA, USA, USA\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou get \u2018em, Petey,\u201d someone shouted from rows filled with men wearing black \u201cfor Hegseth\u201d caps as the nominee entered. Four people were removed from the hearing room during Hegseth\u2019s opening statement, most of them shouting about the war in Gaza.<\/p>\n

Several other Trump cabinet nominees, including contentious picks such as vaccine sceptic Robert F Kennedy Jr to run the health department and Tulsi Gabbard to be director of national intelligence, are scheduled to appear in Congress\u2019s upper chamber in the coming weeks. <\/p>\n

Hegseth was expected to face a tough path to confirmation, but Republican senators, who control the chamber\u2019s powerful armed services committee, seemed ready to give the former soldier the nod, teeing him up for a vote by the full Senate. <\/p>\n

Republicans also hold a majority in the Senate, making the committee stage the most significant hurdle. <\/p>\n

Washington was watching for Ernst\u2019s reaction, given that she previously expressed concerns over Hegseth\u2019s stances on women in combat roles and sexual assault in the military. <\/p>\n

During the proceedings, she told Hegseth she wanted to ensure every woman got the opportunity to serve their country \u201cand do so at any level\u201d.<\/p>\n

Hegseth responded that women would \u201chave access to ground combat roles, given the standards remain high\u201d, and committed to appointing a senior-level official dedicated to sexual assault prevention and response.<\/p>\n

Hegseth served in the Army National Guard but was most recently a host on Fox News, where he became known for denouncing \u201cwokeness\u201d in the military and diversity, equity and inclusive initiatives. DEI policies in the military were \u201cdividing troops\u201d and forcing \u201ccommanders to walk on eggshells\u201d, Hegseth said at the hearing.<\/p>\n

\u201cWokeness comes not from the uniform\u2009.\u2009.\u2009.\u2009but from the political class,\u201d he said, adding that troops would \u201crejoice\u201d at a change in policy.<\/p>\n

The conservative firebrand was grilled about writing that women were less effective than men in combat roles, and had fiery exchanges with Democratic senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Elizabeth Warren over the issue. <\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I\u2019m talking about that issue, it\u2019s not about the capabilities of men and women. It\u2019s about standards\u201d that have been \u201ceroded\u201d, Hegseth said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI do not believe that you are qualified to meet the overwhelming demands of this job,\u201d Senator Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the committee, told Hegseth. \u201cYou lack the character and composure to hold the position.\u201d <\/p>\n

Reed said the hearing \u201cconfirmed\u201d his fears about Hegseth, saying he \u201cis the least qualified nominee for secretary of defence in modern history\u201d.<\/p>\n

Hegseth\u2019s shock choice for the top Pentagon job initially alarmed some lawmakers in Congress, including Republicans, and prompted Trump to briefly consider alternatives.<\/p>\n

\u201cPete Hegseth will make a GREAT Secretary of Defense. He has my Complete and Total support. Good luck today, Pete!\u201d Trump posted on his Truth Social platform ahead of the confirmation hearing. <\/p>\n

Trump\u2019s national security adviser appointee Mike Waltz introduced Hegseth at the hearing and urged senators to confirm him.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdmittedly, this nomination is unconventional,\u201d conceded Senate armed services committee chair Roger Wicker. But he called Hegseth an \u201cexcellent choice\u201d and likened the nominee to Trump.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Read the full article here<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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