senate struggles muscles Nomination by Pete Hegseth Confirmation as defense secretary ahead of vote late Friday takes precedence over his vow to build a “warrior culture” at the Pentagon Allegations of heavy drinking and aggressive behavior To women.
With votes expected in the evening, the Republican-led Senate is determined to install former Fox News host Hegseth donald trump National Security Cabinet Official. But last-minute questions from senators raised new uncertainties about confirmation.
senate majority leader John Thune The meeting, which kicked off Friday, said Hegseth, an Army National Guard veteran who served tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, “will bring a warrior perspective to the highest military jobs.”
“The waking days will disappear,” Thune said. “The Pentagon’s focus will be on fighting.”
Despite a series of serious accusations against him, the Senate’s ability to confirm Hegseth will provide some measure of Trump’s political power and ability Get what he wants from Republican-led Congressand the effectiveness of the culture wars in fueling the agenda in the White House.
Senators to face Trump next week Shell selection Included are Kash Patel, a Trump ally who published the enemy list, as FBI director; Tulsi Gabbard as director of the Office of National Intelligence; and Robert J. Kennedy (Robert F.
“He’s a good man,” Trump said of Heggs as he left the White House to visit North Carolina and Los Angeles over the disaster. “I hope he can do it.”
However, Trump criticized Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Maine Sen. Susan Collins, who have so far been the only ones to announce they will challenge Heger. Hegseth votes Republican. “I’m surprised Collins and Murkowski would do this,” he said.
Trump raised new questions about Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-ky, saying: “Of course, Mitch always didn’t vote. I guess. Mitch didn’t vote?”
McConnell did not say how he would vote, but said in an earlier speech that he would confirm nominees to national security positions “whose records and experience will make them an immediate asset, not a liability.”
Another Republican, Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, also did not reveal his decision. A person familiar with the situation said Thursday that Tillis had questions about the nominees and was given information and answers.
Confirming Hegseth and the Senate’s 53-47 Republican majority would only create one more objection, requiring a simple majority. Vice President J.D. Vance can be called upon to break the tie.
As minority party, Democrats help confirm secretary of state Marco Rubio and the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. John Ratcliffe The bipartisan vote for Trump’s national security team came just days after the two parties returned to the White House.
But Democrats, deeply opposed to Hegers, had little ability to stop him and instead resorted to stalling the process.
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.
heggs face Accused him of sexually assaulting a woman At a Republican conference in California, though he denied the claims and said the encounter was consensual. He later $50,000 paid to woman.
Recently, Hegseth’s former sister-in-law said in the affidavit He felt abusive towards his second wife to the point where she feared for her safety. Hegseth has denied the allegation, and in the divorce proceedings, neither Hegseth nor the woman claimed to be a victim of domestic abuse.
exist fiery confirmation During the hearing, Hegseth dismissed accusations of wrongdoing and vowed to bring a “warrior culture” to the top Pentagon Post.
Hegseth promised not to drink if confirmed.
But Republican senators who are Trump allies and have backed Hegseth face an intense pressure campaign over his nomination, echoing claims he made about his “smear” campaign.
Hegseth, a Princeton and Harvard graduate, represents a new generation of veterans who came of age after the attacks of September 11, 2001. He went on to host a weekend show on Fox News and was unknown to many on Capitol Hill until Trump tapped him for a top defense job.
Hegseth’s comments that women in military combat should have no special concern on Capitol Hill, including from members of their own service. He has since suppressed those views in meetings with senators during the confirmation process.
In a lengthy statement before Hegseth’s test vote, Murkowski said his actions were “in stark contrast” to the Army’s expectations.
“I remain concerned about the message Mr. Hegseth sent confirming to women currently serving and those who aspire to join,” Murkowski wrote on social media.
Collins said after lengthy discussions with Hegseth: “I don’t believe his position on women serving in combat roles has changed.”
But one prominent Iowa Republican, Joni Ernst, herself a combat veteran and sexual assault survivor, was heavily criticized for casting doubt on Hegers and ultimately announced her Will support him.
Republican Sen. Mike Lee posted online ahead of Friday’s vote.
Hegseth will lead an organization with nearly 2.1 million service members, about 780,000 civilians and a budget of $850 billion.
Hours before a Senate vote is expected, Democrats took to the stage to lay out a variety of reasons why they believe he is uniquely unqualified to lead the massive Defense Department.
“It was clear to me at the end of this process that Mr. Hegseth did not check any boxes,” said Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, a former Navy combat pilot who flew during Operation Desert Storm Task.
In exercising its advise-and-consent role on Trump’s nominees, the Senate is also trying to avoid his suggestion that the Republican leader eliminate the confirmation process entirely and allow him to make Cabinet choices while Congress takes a break.
Trump floated the idea of ​​so-called “recess appointments” during a private White House meeting with Thune and House Speaker Mike Johnson. But it’s an extreme and potentially difficult step that some Republican senators want but that several others on both sides of the aisle are trying to avoid.
