President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, is scheduled to face his first public Senate confirmation hearing on January 14, according to Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker, R-Miss.
Hegseth, a veteran and former Fox News host, has been meeting with senators in recent weeks to solidify Republican support for his nomination amid scrutiny over allegations of excessive drinking and sexual misconduct. The upcoming hearing is expected to address both his qualifications and the controversies surrounding his past behavior.
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Hegseth has denied the allegations and assured senators that he would not drink while serving as defense secretary.
His nomination has been strongly endorsed by Trump, who dismissed the concerns on his social media platform, writing, “Pete is a WINNER, and there is nothing that can be done to change that!!!”
The nominee also appeared at the Army-Navy football game alongside Trump over the weekend, signaling his close alignment with the president-elect. Hegseth’s supporters have highlighted his military background and media presence as assets, while critics have raised concerns about his leadership experience and personal conduct.
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The confirmation process is set to unfold in a newly Republican-controlled Senate, which will be sworn in on January 3. Incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., has expressed his intent to expedite Trump’s cabinet confirmations following the president-elect’s inauguration on January 20.
“The priority is to ensure the administration has its team in place as quickly as possible,” Thune said. “We anticipate a robust but fair hearing for all nominees, including Mr. Hegseth.”
While Hegseth is expected to face tough questioning from Senate Democrats and some Republicans, Trump’s strong influence within the GOP and the party’s Senate majority could work in his favor.
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Hegseth’s nomination comes at a pivotal moment for U.S. defense policy, with the Biden administration’s defense strategies, military readiness, and international alliances under review by the incoming Trump administration.
The nominee is likely to be pressed on his plans to address key issues such as military modernization, the war in Ukraine, and the rising influence of adversaries like China and Russia.
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