Pete Hegseth Faces Scrutiny in Defense Secretary Confirmation Hearing

WASHINGTON (AP) — Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense, faced a critical confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. The hearing served as a pivotal moment for Hegseth to address widespread skepticism about his qualifications and to win over a significant portion of Americans who remain unfamiliar with or opposed to his nomination.

A recent AP-NORC poll revealed that only about 20% of Americans approve of Hegseth’s nomination, while roughly one-third disapprove. Another third of respondents said they lacked sufficient information to form an opinion. The 44-year-old Army National Guard veteran and former Fox News host has drawn criticism for his lack of traditional government experience and a controversial personal history, including allegations of misconduct and dismissive views on women in combat roles.

During the hearing, Hegseth acknowledged his unconventional background, describing himself as a “change agent” for the Department of Defense. “I don’t have the traditional background of past defense secretaries,” he said, promising to rely on experienced advisors to navigate the complexities of the role. However, his responses to questions about international security negotiations and global alliances raised concerns among committee members.

Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), a combat veteran and member of the committee, pressed Hegseth on his knowledge of key defense agreements and alliances. When asked to name the three international security negotiations led by the Secretary of Defense, Hegseth struggled, offering only “NATO?” as a response. Duckworth later criticized his performance, stating, “The man is absolutely clueless.”

Hegseth’s nomination has also sparked debate over the value of government experience in high-level roles. The AP-NORC poll found that about half of Americans view it as a negative for the president to rely on individuals without government experience for policy advice. However, Republicans were more supportive, with 40% saying it was a good thing.

Despite the criticism, Hegseth has garnered some support within his party. About half of Republican men approve of his nomination, compared to one-third of Republican women. Older Republicans are also more likely to back him, with 50% of those over 45 expressing approval.

As the hearing concluded, Hegseth vowed to prioritize the modernization of the U.S. military and to address challenges posed by China in the Indo-Pacific region. However, his performance left many questioning whether he is equipped to lead the world’s largest military organization, which employs 2.1 million service members and 770,000 civilians and operates 750 bases in 80 countries.

The Senate Armed Services Committee is expected to vote on Hegseth’s nomination in the coming weeks. If confirmed, he will oversee a department with an annual budget of $900 billion, larger than the GDP of Switzerland.