Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for Defense Secretary, faces tough questioning from senators over allegations of sexual assault, past statements, and his lack of traditional military experience. While Hegseth boasts a combat veteran background and promises a shakeup of the Pentagon, his confirmation is uncertain given the controversies surrounding him.
WASHINGTON — Senators immediately began sparring Tuesday over President-elect Donald Trump ’s choice for defense secretary Pete Hegseth , with the Republican chairman of the Armed Services Committee acknowledging the “unconventional” choice and the top Democrat warning of “extremely alarming” allegations against him.
Trump backed his pick, saying Hegseth has “my Complete and Total support” in a morning post wishing the nominee “good luck.” Hegseth faces perhaps the most difficult path to confirmation. He will be forced to confront allegations of sexual assault, which he has denied, and his own comments that are far from the military mainstream, though he has the support of some veterans’ groups that say his past indiscretions are not as important as his focus on improving military readiness to fight.
Many senators have not yet met with Hegseth and most do not have access to his FBI background check, as only committee leaders were briefed on its findings. The background check on Hegseth appeared lacking, and did not probe or produce new information beyond what's already in the public realm about him, according to a person familiar with the situation who insisted on anonymity to discuss it.
DONALD TRUMP DEFENSE SECRETARY SENATE HEARING PETE HEGSETH ALLEGATIONS MILITARY EXPERIENCE
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