What to watch when Pete Hegseth faces questions about his experience and personal past

By MARY CLARE JALONICK and MATT BROWN, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth will appear publicly before senators for the first time on Tuesday, after weeks of privately fending off criticism about his qualifications and personal past.

Hegseth, a 44-year-old Army National Guard veteran and former Fox News Channel weekend host, has faced heavy criticism from Democrats over his thin résumé compared to previous defense secretaries, as well as allegations of excessive alcohol consumption, sexual assault and mismanagement of veterans organizations’ finances – all of which he denies.

Many Republicans vocally supported Hegseth’s nomination, but others remained noncommittal as reports about his past behavior began to surface.

President-elect Donald Trump continues to strongly support Hegseth, who has worked to curry favor with Senate Republicans over the past month in one-on-one meetings.

Trump published on social media in December that “Pete is the WINNER and there is nothing you can do to change that!!!”

What to watch as Hegseth’s hearing begins Tuesday morning:

How will he manage the department?

Republicans said they viewed Hegseth’s combat experience as an advantage, but Democrats expressed deep concern that largely inexperienced and unproven on the global stage.

The Department of Defense has a budget of more than $800 billion, employing approximately 1.3 million active-duty troops and another 1.4 million in the National Guard and Reserves and civilian employees deployed around the world. Hegseth has had to face a series of daunting global crises, starting with wars in the Middle East AND Ukraine and expanding alliance of Russia and North Korea to growing competition with China.

Look for Democrats to question Hegseth on the details how he will cope huge department – and how it will represent the United States in diplomatic situations around the world.

“We need a serious candidate who can get the job done,” said Nevada Sen. Jacky Rosen, a Democrat on the committee.

Republicans say his resume gives him an advantage over traditional Pentagon leaders and praise him for his willingness to overhaul the department.

“While these may not be credentials that have traditionally been included on the resumes of candidates for secretary of defense, I think he brings a lot and brings some things that some of the more traditional candidates haven’t brought,” said Senator Kevin of North Dakota. Cramer, a Republican member of the panel. “He will be disruptive in the good sense of the word.”

Women in combat

Just last year, Hegseth said that women “right away” should not serve in combat roles. Therefore, attention will be paid to two Iraq War veterans serving on the committee – Republican Joni Ernst of Iowa and Democrat Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, who lost both legs when the Blackhawk helicopter she was piloting was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade.

Duckworth said before the hearing that she would question Hegseth about whether he would try to limit women’s role in combat and how he would do it. How will this affect recruitment? Would men be more likely to be drafted into the military as a result? “We can’t go to war without them,” she said.

Ernst later met Hegseth twice saying she wanted to hear more about his views. She hasn’t said yet whether she will support him.

Hegseth he said on “The Megyn Kelly Show” in December that “if we have the right standard and women meet it, I understand. Let’s go.

Allegations of sexual assault

Hegseth is fighting excessive drinking allegations and revelations that he posted a plea deal after he was convicted accused of sexual assault that he denies.

Democrats are expected to demand an explanation from Hegseth. In letter to him last weekMassachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who sits on the Armed Services panel, questioned whether Hegseth would be able to lead, stating that she was “deeply concerned about the many ways in which your past behavior and rhetoric indicate that you are unfit.”

Republican Senator Ernst, a sexual assault survivor, said her second encounter with Hegseth ” encouraging conversations” She said Hegseth pledged “to complete a full Pentagon audit” and hire a senior official who “will prioritize and strengthen my work to prevent sexual assault in the ranks.”

Many Republicans feel this way They gathered around Hegsethand some seem to doubt the veracity of the reports. Tennessee Sen. Bill Hagerty said last month that it was “a shame” that something that was previously under investigation “came back to some as she said, she said so.”

Will he get the votes?

Hegseth will likely have near-unanimous support from Republicans on the committee and potentially in the full Senate. However, this may depend on how effectively he is able to defend himself and his point of view during questioning. He may lose only four Republican votes in the 53-47 Senate if all Democrats vote against his confirmation, because Vice President-elect J.D. Vance could cast the deciding vote.

South Dakota Sen. Mike Rounds, a Republican member of the Armed Services panel, said Hegseth has openly expressed to Republican senators that he knows he will have to address some of the allegations against him.

“I think so,” Rounds said, “and at the same time, we’ll give him plenty of opportunity to talk about his role as secretary and the vision he has for the department.”

Rounds said he expects to support Hegseth unless something changes. “I think the president is taking advantage of doubts about his candidates,” he said.

Originally published: January 14, 2025 at 6:38 AM CST