Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) outlined concerns about President-elect Donald Trump’s defense secretary nominee, Pete Hegseth, ahead of what is poised to be one of the fiercest confirmation battles.
In a 33-page letter, Warren demanded detailed answers to concerns over past rhetoric and allegations, including alleged personal misconduct and positions the Democrats believe could jeopardize national security. While the letter opened with congratulations for Hegseth on his nomination and expressed “serious concerns” about his qualifications, it closed by seemingly dismissing any possibility of his approval.
“Your confirmation as Secretary of Defense would be detrimental to our national security and
disrespect a diverse array of servicemembers who are willing to sacrifice for our country. A
Secretary of Defense must be able to manage a vast, diverse organization; uphold the rule of law;
protect the military from politicization; work with allies around the globe; and support the needs of servicemembers and their families,” she wrote.
“These are the qualifications that we should be looking for in the next Secretary of Defense. However, your past behavior and rhetoric indicates your inability to effectively lead this organization and properly support our servicemembers,” Warren added.
Warren’s concerns were listed under headings: Your Record of Organizational Mismanagement, Reports of Excessive Drinking, Allegations of Sexual Assault and Harassment, Opposition to Women in the Military, Threats to Politicize and Undermine the Military, Support for War Crimes and Torture, Threats to Diversity in the Military, Advocating for War Against Political Enemies, Opposition to Working with Allies, Undermining Veterans Benefits, and Threats to Quality of [Department of Defense Education Activity agency] Education.
Each heading contained past statements, allegations, and a list of questions. Warren requested written answers to all the questions by Jan. 10.
Several questions were charged, including one asking whether an allegation that he chanted “Kill All Muslims!” at an Ohio bar in 2015 was accurate.
Warren followed it up with five sub-sections, asking, “If not, which portions of this report are inaccurate?”; “If so, what was your rationale for this violent call for murder?”; “Does this include the approximately 3.45 million Muslims in the United States?”; “Does this include the estimated 5,000 to 6,000 Muslims serving in the U.S. military and the Muslim Americans who ‘are just as likely to join the military as any other demographic within the country’s general population?’”; and “Does this include all Muslims outside of the United States, including those we cooperate with to support U.S. national security and international security?”
After former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz removed himself as Trump’s nominee for attorney general, scrutiny quickly focused on Hegseth.
Some of the controversy was reportedly a shock to the Trump team as it didn’t know about a settlement agreement made after Hegseth was accused of rape in 2017. After the settlement news came out and other reports of heavy drinking on the job and sexual impropriety, Hegseth visited Capitol Hill to shore up support from senators.
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Rumors swirled that Trump was considering replacing his defense secretary pick, especially after Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) went public with her concerns about the alleged assault and his comments about women in combat. However, after multiple meetings, she said she would “support Pete through this process.”
Trump’s national intelligence director nominee, Tulsi Gabbard, and his Health and Human Services secretary nominee, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., have also come under scrutiny and will also need to meet with senators before their hearings are scheduled.
