PETE HEGSETH'S FATE AS DEFENSE SECRETARY WILL BE DECIDED IN SENATE HEARING


By akirschbaum
Hegseth speaking before senate hearing.

The Senate Armed Services Committee will hold a crucial confirmation hearing next week for Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth. This important senate hearing will determine whether Hegseth will lead the country’s military force, which has over 2 million troops and about 800,000 civilian defense workers.

Hegseth, who was previously well-known for his Fox News commentary, met with influential senators to discuss what he would do once he got the position. These conversations have prepared the ground for what may turn out to be one of the highlights of his professional life. Even after all the controversies about Hegseth as Defense Secretary, it looks like he is still in the running as the top nominee. He will be one of the key figures who will define Trump’s legacy.

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Senate Hearing: GOP vs. Democrats

Republicans, who control the majority in the chamber, have generally supported the selection of President-elect Donald Trump. Senate Majority Leader John Thune informed Trump in private this week that he thinks enough GOP senators will support Hegseth to have him approved within the next month, according to CBS News.

Democrats, meanwhile, are still worried about Hegseth's private life and inexperience leading the Pentagon. Hegseth's recent meeting with Senate Armed Services Committee ranking member Jack Reed did not relieve any concerns about his lack of qualifications and raised more questions than answers.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a fellow committee member, asked the armed services panel press to provide additional details regarding Hegseth's tenure as the head of the conservative nonprofit organizations Concerned Veterans of America and Veterans for Freedom. He specifically asked for clarification on allegations of mismanagement, financial irresponsibility, and possible self-dealing.

Allegations Against Hegseth and His Past Leadership

In the past, Hegseth has denied the accusations made against him and charged that those who oppose him are making up stories to undermine his candidacy. The 44-year-old served stints in Guantanamo Bay, Iraq, and Afghanistan during his 14 years in the National Guard. He received two Bronze Stars and a Combat Infantryman's Badge for his efforts.

Trump collaborated closely with the White House during his first term in office to provide pardons and legal assistance to a number of soldiers who were charged with war crimes during operations abroad. Hegseth's opponents point out that he has never had a senior leadership position in the Defense Department. They also said that the organizations he oversaw were much smaller than the $800 billion+ Defense Department he will be tasked to take over.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren wrote to the Trump transition team this week, requesting answers to a number of accusations against Hegseth. It includes claims of excessive drinking and an alleged sexual assault in 2017. No charges have been brought against Hegseth for the alleged assault, and he has publicly promised to abstain from alcohol if it is proven.

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FBI Background Check for Hegseth's Confirmation Hearing

Two people with direct knowledge of the report claim that late Friday, just days before his confirmation hearing on Tuesday, the top senators on the Armed Services Committee received an FBI background check on Pete Hegseth.

According to the two individuals, the report is solely in the possession of two senators: Ranking Member Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., and Chairman Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss.

Two committee sources familiar with the procedure said it was unprecedented that the report took so long to reach the panel's senior members, even though the 25-member committee does not necessarily need to approve Hegseth's background check in order to move on with the nomination hearing.

Democrats Question Hegseth's FBI Background Check

The FBI report may not be comprehensive, especially for a cabinet pick who has been embroiled in controversy. This is what the Democrats on the committee are saying, and they have expressed frustration about the delay. Two people who were contacted by Congress about Hegseth and one who had previously worked closely with him told NBC News they are worried the FBI has not gotten in touch with them.

Before the session, Sen. Tammy Duckworth informed NBC News that he is not permitted to view the FBI inquiry. The senator also thinks it is likely incomplete and wonders why they aren't permitted to see it.

After Hegseth's team informed most Democrats that he would only be available to meet after the senate hearing, Kelly, like other Democrats on the Armed Services Committee, stated that he would want to read the report prior to the hearing. According to three Democratic aides, Hegseth's staff responded by saying they would meet them on January 15, the day following the hearing.

Several Democratic aides claim that although Hegseth's staff contacted a few committee Democrats in the days before Christmas and Hanukkah, they had not yet filed the required paperwork or set up a meeting with Reed, the panel's senior Democrat.

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100+ Veterans to March in Support of Hegseth's Confirmation

Hegseth is set to be confirmed on Tuesday, and if this happens, he will be the nation's 29th secretary of defense. Trump can't nominate cabinet members until he takes office on January 20th, so Tuesday's hearing will be to simply gather information. A committee vote will not take place until after his nomination.

In anticipation of this day, two former Navy SEALs are planning to bring hundreds of Veterans to DC to support Hegseth. The group is organized by Bill Brown and Rob Sweetman, is "planning to pack as many Veterans into the hearing room" as possible. There are also plans to have Veterans line up outside the hearing buildning before the event officially takes place.

A group of Veterans is also planning to meet at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at 9 am to march. Brown has placed an invitation to Veterans to bring their American flags and march with the group. Sweetman says that he expects at lest 100 Navy SEALs to join, along with hundreds of Veterans.

Brown said that he and other Veterans organized this march because many were in "total dismay that a lot of us in the military, a lot of us who served our country and war and overseas, have with the current leadership in the Pentagon."

Many of the Veterans marching have not been deterred by the allegations against Hegseth. "The Lt. Hegseth that I knew, and the Pete Hegseth that I know today is a man of integrity," said Araujo. "His view on women in combat is the same as mine," said Brown.

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