Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth meets with Senator-elect Jim Banks (R-IN) at Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., December 5, 2024.
Evelyn Hochstein | Reuters
The Senate voted on Thursday Peter HeggsNominated for President Donald TrumpThe defense secretary will undergo a final confirmation vote this weekend.
Senators voted narrowly, 51-49, to support Hegseth to lead the Pentagon, with only two Republicans – moderate senators. Lisa MurkowskiR-Alaska, and Susan CollinsMaine Republicans — joined all 47 Democrats in voting to try to stop Hegseth. A simple majority is required.
Shortly before the vote, Murkowski became the first Republican speak out against Hegseth’s nomination said he acknowledged that some past actions showed a “lack of judgment” and was “unfit to lead our armed forces.”
Still, Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker, a Mississippi Republican who guided Hegers through the process, said he felt “very optimistic” about his chances.
Thursday’s vote marks Hegseth took a major step forward when his nomination appeared last month On the verge of collapse After multiple news reports detailed the accusations alcoholism, sexual assault,as well as poor financial management the organization he leads.
Hegers, a former Fox News anchor and Army veteran, has denied all of the accusations.
Republican-led Senate reveals revelations about Hegseth’s former sister-in-law in 11 hours said in sworn testimony It was shared with the senators that he had “displayed erratic and aggressive behavior for many years” and made his ex-wife Samantha Hegseth “fear for her safety” while they were married. Former sister-in-law Daniella Hegseth also wrote in the deposition, “Samantha once told me that Hegseth grabbed her groin without consent at home.”
The affidavit was filed in response to a request for information from Sen. Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Armed Services Committee.
The existence of the affidavit is first reported Reported by NBC News.
Daniela Hegseth said she “did not witness physical or sexual abuse” by Hegseth. Samantha Hegseth said in a statement that no physical abuse occurred during her marriage to Hegseth. Lawyers for his ex-wife did not respond to the previously unreported allegations.
“It is clear to NBC that Samantha, the actual participant, denies these false accusations, but NBC continues to irresponsibly report on unrelated third parties,” Tim Pratall, an attorney for Pete Hegseth, wrote in an email. False accusations as if they were fact.
Hegseth also faces questions about his past comments Women should not fight. He said in his confirmation hearing Last week, he now believes women should have the chance to serve in combat roles as long as “standards remain high”.
Despite Thursday’s vote, Hegseth’s situation remains unclear. A final vote in which four Republican senators join all 47 Democratic senators would prevent Hegseth from receiving the majority he needs to be confirmed.
While Virginia Republican Sen. Shelly Moore Capito and Republican Sen. Mike Rounds confirmed they would vote for Hegseth, Iowa Republican Sen. Councilman Joni Ernst reiterated her support Thursday, but several others remained on the ballot.
Republican Sen. Thom Tillis speaks with reporters at the Senate Metro Station at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024.
Bill Clark | Chongqing Roll Call Company | Getty Images
Republican Sen. Thom Tillis said he would vote to advance Hegseth’s nomination and appeared to be leaning toward final approval while the numerous allegations against Hegseth are investigated.
“I’m still reviewing the records…I conducted extensive due diligence,” Tillis said Thursday. “I’ve talked to a lot of people. I’ve spent hours on the phone. I haven’t found a single first-hand instance of evidence to support these accusations. If I did, that would impact my vote.
“But I’ve done my due diligence and I’ve looked for it and I haven’t found it yet,” Tillis said.
Armed Forces Chairman Wicker foreshadowed that the final vote on Hegseth could be very close and suggested that Vice President J.D. Vance might be needed to break the 50-50 tie.
“If I were J.D. Vance, I would stay,” Wick said.
Vice President-elect U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) leaves the Senate floor during a vote at the U.S. Capitol on December 18, 2024 in Washington, DC.
Anna Money Tree | Getty Images
Reid, the top Democratic armed services leader, opposed Hegseth’s nomination, saying on the Senate floor that he believed the FBI’s initial background check on Hegseth was rushed and incomplete. He added that since then, the FBI has had to provide him with two additional briefings on Hegseth, including Wednesday night.
“Ahead of Mr. Hegseth’s hearing, I was appalled that investigators neglected to contact key witnesses and whistleblowers, and I urged them to reopen the investigation,” Reed said in a statement. “During my time on the Armed Services Committee, the FBI returned to my office twice, most recently last night, to provide additional information about a nominee, which is unprecedented.
“Frankly, I still don’t believe the background check was completed,” he said.
