The U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee has scheduled a confirmation hearing for Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of defense, on January 14, according to a source familiar with the plan. Trump has repeatedly voiced his support for Hegseth, a former Fox News personality, despite challenges stemming from allegations of misconduct in both his personal and professional life.
Hegseth, 44, is a veteran of the Army National Guard, having served in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and earning two Bronze Stars. However, his nomination has faced criticism due to concerns over his lack of management experience to lead the Pentagon’s 1.3 million active-duty service members and nearly 1 million civilian employees.
In recent weeks, Hegseth has been actively meeting with Republican senators to secure the 51 votes needed for confirmation. Although no Republican senator has publicly opposed him yet, some have indicated they are closely monitoring the outcome of his confirmation hearing. The Senate Armed Services Committee will vote on his nomination after the hearing, followed by consideration by the full Senate.
Hegseth’s path to confirmation is complicated by a 2017 police report where a woman accused him of sexual assault. Though no charges were filed, and Hegseth has denied the allegations, his lawyer has suggested potential legal action. With Republicans holding a 53-47 majority in the Senate starting January 3, Hegseth can only afford to lose the support of three Republicans if all Democrats oppose his confirmation.
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