The Senate Armed Services Committee has advanced Pete Hegseth’s nomination for defense secretary, setting the stage for a full Senate vote.
WASHINGTON: So, the Senate Armed Services Committee just voted to push Pete Hegseth’s nomination for defense secretary to the full Senate. It was a party-line vote, with all the Republicans backing him and all the Democrats opposing. This is part of Trump’s rush to fill his Cabinet.
There were some serious concerns about Hegseth, like allegations of sexual assault and financial issues, but he’s denied everything. Surprisingly, no Republican senator has said they’ll vote against him, which means he’s likely to get confirmed.
The Senate could vote on this as soon as Thursday, unless everyone agrees to speed things up. Hegseth, who’s 44 and used to be a Fox News host, has a military background but not much management experience. His nomination raised eyebrows, especially after reports about a past settlement related to an assault claim and his drinking habits.
During his confirmation hearing, Hegseth faced tough questions about his past, including his views on women in combat. He said he now supports women serving in combat roles as long as standards are high. But things got heated when Senator Tim Kaine pressed him about a specific incident in Monterey, California, where local police investigated but no charges were filed.
Kaine challenged Hegseth on his claims of being cleared, pointing out that there was a settlement involved. It’s a tight situation, as just four Republican senators could team up with all the Democrats to block his nomination. Some were watching Senator Joni Ernst closely, but she ultimately decided to support Hegseth.
Ernst stated that after talking to Iowans and doing her job, she’s backing Trump’s pick. She also mentioned she’ll work with Hegseth to ensure the military remains strong and to address issues like sexual assault in the ranks.
So, it looks like Hegseth’s nomination is on track, but it’s definitely been a bumpy ride.
