Pete Hegseth Faces Senate Scrutiny in Defense Secretary Confirmation Hearing

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump‘s nominee for defense secretary, is set to face a contentious Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Tuesday, where Democrats are expected to challenge his qualifications and past controversies.

Hegseth, a 44-year-old Army veteran with tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, has been a polarizing figure since his nomination. Republicans, including Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., have rallied behind him, praising his military background and commitment to reforming the Pentagon. However, Democrats are poised to scrutinize his record, including a 2017 sexual assault accusation and allegations of financial mismanagement and excessive drinking during his tenure at veterans’ organizations.

“Democrats certainly aren’t going to make this a walk in the park by any means,” a Republican aide told Fox News Digital. A senior Democrat aide added, “It’s going to focus a lot just on what we should expect of a nominee for this job and where he falls short.”

Hegseth, who retired from the Army National Guard in 2021 as a major, is relatively young and inexperienced compared to past defense secretaries. Republicans argue that his outsider status is an asset, while Democrats question his ability to lead the Department of Defense, which employs 3 million people.

One of the key issues likely to arise during the hearing is Hegseth’s stance on women in combat roles. In his 2024 book, “The War on Warriors,” he wrote, “We need moms. But not in the military, especially not in combat units.” He later clarified his comments, telling Fox News, “Some of our greatest warriors, our best warriors out there are women.”

Hegseth’s confirmation hinges on securing Republican support, as Democrats are unlikely to back his nomination. With the Senate Armed Services Committee composed of 14 Republicans and 13 Democrats, even a single GOP defection could derail his confirmation. On the Senate floor, Hegseth can afford to lose no more than three Republican votes.

Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, a veteran herself, has expressed cautious support for Hegseth after meeting with him twice. “I look forward to a fair hearing,” she said, though she stopped short of committing to vote for him.

The hearing, scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m., will also delve into Hegseth’s public comments and writings, including his opposition to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in the military. Republicans are expected to frame him as a reformer who will address years of failed audits and bureaucratic inefficiencies.

As Hegseth prepares to face the committee, his ability to navigate the hearing without missteps will be critical. “His job is to just keep his head down and not say something that would create an opening for these [Republicans],” a Democrat aide said. “I expect that he’s going to try to say very little and say it very calmly and politely.”