The nomination of former Fox News host Pete Hegseth to be Defense Secretary has cleared a procedural hurdle in the Senate, signaling the potential confirmation of one of Donald Trump's most controversial picks.
The vote was by 51 votes to 49 votes. Two Republicans, Sen. Susan Collins (R-Middle East) and Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), joined all Democrats in opposing confirmation.
Murkowski said in a statement that she “cannot in good conscience support his candidacy for the position of Minister of Defense.”
“Running the Department of Defense requires extensive experience and expertise as the Department is one of the most complex and powerful organizations in the world, and Mr. Hegseth's previous roles in his career do not prove to me that he is prepared for such enormous responsibility,” she said. “His leadership of two veteran organizations has been marked by accusations of financial mismanagement and problems In the workplace culture he fostered.”
Collins expressed similar concerns, which also included previous statements made by Hegseth opposing women working in combat roles.
Hegseth was co-host of Fox and Friends on the weekend Before leaving this position, Trump nominated him for a high-level cabinet position.
But his candidacy wavered slightly as revelations emerged of a secret settlement Hegseth reached with a woman who accused him of sexual assault during a meeting in 2017. A police report was filed but Hegseth was not charged. His lawyer told The Washington Post that he had been drinking and that the sex was consensual.
“Although the allegations of sexual assault and heavy drinking do nothing to allay my concerns, the past behaviors admitted by Mr. Hegseth, including infidelity on multiple occasions, demonstrate a lack of judgment that is unbecoming of a person,” Murkowski said in her statement. “. Who will lead our armed forces? These behaviors stand in stark contrast to the values and discipline expected of military service members.
But Senator Roger Wicker, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said. “Admittedly, this nomination is unconventional,” but he compared Hegseth's choice to Trump's choice to run for president starting in 2015.
Hegseth “is not beholden to the status quo, and is open to new ideas. He is intent on lethality and preparedness, shouldn't we all be? His experience in the line of fire and in defending service members makes one thing clear: Pete Hegseth will put the men and women of our military in the First place.
The final vote on the nomination could take place on Friday.
