WASHINGTON (NewsNation) — President-elect Donald Trump’s choice for defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, is heading into a potentially explosive Senate confirmation hearing.
Hegseth, a former TV show host and military veteran, will answer questions about allegations of sexual assault and excessive drinking, as well as his views on the current state of the U.S. military.
The hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee is set to start at 9:30 a.m. ET. It’s the start of a weeklong marathon as senators begin scrutinizing Trump’s choices for more than a dozen top administrative positions. The Republican-led Senate is rushing to have some of Trump’s picks ready to be confirmed as soon as Inauguration Day, Jan. 20, despite potential opposition to some from both sides of the aisle.
Hegseth to answer assault allegations
Hegseth, 44, could be confirmed as defense secretary with only Republican support, but he can’t afford to lose more than three Republican votes if his nomination moves to the full Senate.
A major issue surrounding his confirmation involves allegations of sexual assault. While Hegseth was never charged, the alleged victim, who organized a Republican women’s event, claims they met in a hotel room in 2017, where Hegseth allegedly took her phone and refused to let her leave.
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A nurse who saw the alleged victim days later stated the woman requested a sexual assault exam and recalled little of the night but believed her drink may have been spiked.
Hegseth’s attorney has confirmed he paid the accuser to avoid a lawsuit.
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Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, a veteran and sexual assault survivor, could play a pivotal role in Tuesday’s hearing. Ernst has met with Hegseth twice and described the discussions as productive.
Ahead of Tuesday’s hearing, both sides spoke about the significance of the event.
The hearing is expected to address several topics, including Hegseth’s past comments opposing women in combat roles and accusing the military of being “woke.”
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Although he has since walked back some of those comments, emphasizing the contributions of women in the military, a report last month detailed concerns from Fox News employees about Hegseth’s drinking habits. He has vowed not to drink if confirmed.
If appointed, Hegseth would lead the Department of Defense, the federal government’s largest employer, overseeing 3.4 million service members and civilians with an annual budget of approximately $850 billion.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
