Trump’s Pentagon nominee, Pete Hegseth faces a contentious Senate hearing

The upcoming Senate confirmation hearing for U.S. President-elect Donald Trump‘s nominee for Secretary of Defense, former Fox News host Pete Hegseth, is expected to center on cultural issues such as military diversity rather than international conflicts. Hegseth, known for his controversial views, faces a challenging confirmation process, which may hinge on his performance before the Senate Armed Services Committee, despite backing from Trump’s Republican supporters.

Concerns have been raised among lawmakers regarding several incidents from Hegseth’s past, including a 2017 sexual assault allegation that he denies and which did not lead to any charges, as well as claims of excessive alcohol consumption and financial mismanagement within veterans’ organizations. At 44, Hegseth has been vocal against diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in the military, even questioning the qualifications of the top U.S. general based on race. He has also expressed strong opposition to women serving in combat roles.

Reuters has reported on various confrontations Hegseth had with feminist groups during his time at Princeton University. Additionally, a 2021 incident highlighted by Reuters involved a fellow Army National Guard member labeling him an “insider threat” due to his tattoos, which Hegseth claims resulted in his removal from Guard duty during President Joe Biden’s inauguration.

Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren expressed her concerns in a letter to Hegseth prior to the hearing, stating, “We cannot have a Defense Secretary whose fellow servicemembers feel concerned enough to report him as a potential insider threat.”

In recent weeks, support for Trump’s nominee has solidified within the Republican Party. Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin remarked on Monday, “I look forward to discussing Hegseth’s plans to reform the Department of Defense and safeguard the warfighter.”

However, with a narrow Republican majority in the Senate, Hegseth can afford to lose the backing of only three Senators if Democrats and independents stand united against him. Typically, Cabinet nominees do not face Senate defeats, as they are often withdrawn if they appear to be in jeopardy. The last nominee to be rejected was former Senator John Tower, who was proposed for Secretary of Defense in 1989 but was investigated for allegations of drunkenness and inappropriate conduct with women.

If confirmed, Hegseth could fulfill Trump’s commitment to eliminate military leaders he believes are advancing progressive diversity initiatives. Reports indicate that the Trump administration has been compiling a list of generals targeted for dismissal.

Hegseth, who lacks extensive management experience, would oversee an organization with a budget nearing $1 trillion, comprising 1.3 million active-duty personnel and nearly 1 million civilian employees. The incoming Secretary of Defense will encounter significant international challenges, including ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, as well as the growing military presence of China, although it remains uncertain how extensively these issues will be addressed during the hearing.