Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth appeared before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday, confronting sharp questions about his stance on military diversity, readiness, and personal conduct. The hearing marked the opening of what is expected to be a contentious confirmation process for the former Fox News host and combat veteran.
Hegseth, who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, was pressed by Democratic senators on past comments criticizing the Pentagon's efforts to promote women in the military. He argued that physical fitness standards have been relaxed to accommodate female recruits, a practice he claims undermines military readiness. "If confirmed, I will reinvigorate standards and hold everyone to the same requirements," Hegseth vowed, emphasizing a commitment to gender-neutral assessments.
Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), an Army Reserve veteran and sexual assault survivor, asked whether Hegseth supports women in combat roles. Hegseth affirmed his support, provided that standards remain high. "I've served with great women in combat," he said, pledging to uphold merit-based criteria over diversity quotas.
Addressing “Wokeness” and Allegations of Misconduct
Hegseth also spoke out against what he called "wokeness" in the military, contending that accusations of racism and extremism within the ranks are overblown. He denied long-standing media claims of excessive drinking and sexual misconduct, calling them part of a “coordinated smear campaign” fueled by anonymous sources.
Senator Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) challenged Hegseth over past media reports, including allegations he drank on the job. When asked if he would resign if such behavior occurred while serving as defense secretary, Hegseth avoided a direct response, asserting that the accusations were false.
A flashpoint came when Hirono referenced reports suggesting former President Trump had considered using force against protesters during the George Floyd protests. "You will shoot protesters in the leg?" Hirono pressed after Hegseth initially sidestepped the question.
Concerns Over Experience and Partisanship
Several senators voiced skepticism about Hegseth’s suitability for the role, citing both personal conduct allegations and his limited management experience. Ranking Member Jack Reed (D-R.I.) described Hegseth as "overly partisan," suggesting his confirmation could politicize the Pentagon. "Your conduct would disqualify you from being a service member," Reed stated, "much less the head of the DOD."
Hegseth defended his credentials by highlighting his combat experience and vision for restoring a "warrior ethos" within the military. "We've repeatedly placed those with 'right credentials' at the top," he said. "Where has it gotten us?"
Despite criticism, Hegseth has garnered strong support from several Republican senators, including Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.), who expressed optimism about the nominee’s chances.
Next Steps
Hegseth will require the Armed Services Committee's approval to advance to a full Senate vote. As debates around his nomination continue, the hearing underscored the broader clash over military culture, leadership, and reform priorities.
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