Former Fox News host Pete Hegseth‘s Defense Secretary nomination cleared a Senate procedural hurdle, pointing to a likely confirmation for one of Donald Trump‘s most controversial picks.
The vote was 51-49. Two Republicans, Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), joined with all Democrats in opposing the confirmation.
Murkowski said in a statement that she “cannot in good conscience support his nomination for Secretary of Defense.”
“Managing the Department of Defense requires vast experience and expertise as the department is one of the most complex and powerful organizations in the world, and Mr. Hegseth’s prior roles in his career do not demonstrate to me that he is prepared for such immense responsibility,” she said. “His leadership of two veteran organizations was marked with accusations of financial mismanagement and problems with the workplace culture he fostered.”
Collins expressed similar concerns, which also included previous statements Hegseth has made opposing women serving in combat roles.
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Hegseth was a co-host of Fox & Friends Weekend before quitting that job as Trump nominated him for the high level cabinet position.
But his nomination teetered for a bit as revelations emerged over a confidential settlement that Hegseth reached with a woman who accused him of sexual assault during an encounter in 2017. A police report was filed but Hegseth was not charged. His attorney told The Washington Post that he had been drinking and the sex was consensual.
In her statement, Murkowski said, “While the allegations of sexual assault and excessive drinking do nothing to quiet my concerns, the past behaviors Mr. Hegseth has admitted to, including infidelity on multiple occasions, demonstrate a lack of judgment that is unbecoming of someone who would lead our armed forces. These behaviors starkly contrast the values and discipline expected of servicemembers.”
But Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said. “Admittedly, this nomination is unconventional,” but he compared Hegseth’s choice to that of Trump running for president starting in 2015.
Hegseth “is not beholden to the status quo, and he’s open to new ideas. He’s intent on lethality and readiness, and shouldn’t we all be? His experience in the line of fire and service member advocacy make one thing clear: Pete Hegseth will put the men and women of our military first.”
A final vote on the nomination could come on Friday.
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