Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth meets with Senator-elect Jim Banks (R-IN) at Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., December 5, 2024.
Evelyn Hochstein | Reuters
Pete Hegseth, expected to become Defense Secretary, will appear in a high-stakes confirmation hearing in the Senate on Tuesday as he tries to overcome Democratic doubts about his qualifications to lead the Pentagon, the largest government agency in the United States.
The hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee is also likely to focus on recently surfaced allegations of Hegseth’s past sexual misconduct and alcohol abuse.
The 44-year-old veteran and former Fox News host may also have to defend himself against accusations he mismanaged two veterans nonprofits years ago.
The hearing is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. Eastern time.
President-elect Donald Trump backed Hegseth, who refuted the accusations.
He denied being kicked out of two veterans groups and said he would not drink if he was confirmed as defense secretary.
He has also denied allegations that he sexually assaulted a woman at a hotel in 2017 while working at Fox. The Monterey, Calif., police investigation ended without any charges being filed against Hegseth. His attorneys have repeatedly called the accusations false and acknowledged that Hegseth reached a secret settlement with the woman.
The district attorney later said she did not press charges because “none of the charges were supported by evidence beyond a reasonable doubt.”
The revelations about Hegseth sparked speculation that he could be Trump’s second pick to drop out, following former Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz’s decision to abandon his bid for attorney general.
but some republicans It is said have said in recent days that they believe Hegseth has enough support to get through the Armed Services Committee and win Senate confirmation.
Hegseth’s nomination status compare The dramatic Senate hearing centered on sexual assault allegations against Trump’s second Supreme Court nominee, Brett Kavanaugh.
Kavanaugh, who strongly denied the accusations, was confirmed in a 50-48 vote.
This is developing news. Please check back for updates.
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