Warren says Hegseth being confirmed to lead Pentagon would 'disrespect' troops’ 'sacrifice'
On Sunday, January 5, CBS News reported that Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-South Dakota) has, according to sources, privately told President-elect Donald Trump that he believes former Fox News host Pete Hegseth — Trump's embattled pick to lead the Department of Defense — has enough votes to be confirmed.
Hegseth is among the controversial MAGA Republicans Trump has chosen for his incoming second administration, and he has been facing allegations of sexual assault (which Hegseth vehemently denies), public drunkenness and severe alcohol abuse.
But Trump's transition team has been was waging an intense pressure campaign on Senate Republicans who are uncommitted on voting to confirm Hegseth. And far-right MAGA attorney Mike Davis, known for his inflammatory and violent rhetoric, has even threatened senators with private investigations if they resist Trump's more controversial nominees.
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Republicans now have a 53-47 majority in the U.S. Senate, which is far from a supermajority but enough for Hegseth and other Trump picks to be confirmed without a single Democratic vote. And one Democrat who is speaking out against Hegseth is liberal Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts.
According to Washington Post reporter Missy Ryan, Warren sent Hegseth a 33-page letter on Monday, January 6, laying out her concerns about the nomination.
"I am deeply concerned by the many ways in which your behavior and rhetoric indicates that you are unfit to lead the Department of Defense," Warren wrote. "Your confirmation as Secretary of Defense would be detrimental to our national security and disrespect a diverse array of service members who are willing to sacrifice for our country."
On Tuesday, January 14, Hegseth is scheduled to appear before the Senate Armed Services Committee, where Warren is the leading Democrat.
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In her letter, Ryan reports, Warren "outlined 10 areas of concern, including allegations of heavy drinking and sexual misconduct, remarks suggesting female troops should play a more limited role in the military, his past skepticism about the need for U.S. personnel to comply with laws of war, and accusations of mismanagement of veterans' organizations he headed."
The Post reporter explains, "It follows weeks of high-profile reports surrounding Hegseth's background, including revelations about his record of derisive comments about Muslims and current military leaders, and about an incident in which he was investigated, but not charged, in an alleged sexual assault. Hegseth's confirmation hearing will provide an early test of how congressional Republicans, in particular, will size up their preferences against those of their president. While Hegseth’s record has stirred doubts among some in the GOP, Trump has lobbied forcefully for his confirmation."
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Read the full Washington Post article at this link (subscription required).
