Pete Hegseth calls himself an “agent of change” as the Senate hearing on Donald Trump’s defense secretary selection begins

WASHINGTON — Senators he immediately started sparring on Tuesday over the president-elect Donald Trump election as Secretary of Defense Pete Hegsethwith the Republican chairman of the Armed Services Committee affirming the “unconventional” pick and the top Democrat warning of the “extremely alarming” allegations against him.

Hegesth calls himself a “change agent” as senators determine whether the former combat veteran and news show host is capable of leading US military.

His previous experience in the National Guard is widely seen as an asset for the job, but he also has harrowing memories past statements and actionsincluding allegations sexual assaultexcessive drinking and derisive views about women in combat roles in the military, minorities and they “woke up” the generals. He promised he wouldn’t do it drink alcohol if he is confirmed to lead the Pentagon.

“It’s time to give the reins to someone with dust on their boots. An agent of change,” Hegseth will tell senators prepared remarks according to his initial statement obtained by The Associated Press.

Trump supported his choice, stating in a morning post that Hegseth had “my full and total support” while wishing the candidate “good luck.”

Hegseth is among the Trumps most at risk Cabinet electionsbut GOP allies are determined to make it a celebration of Trump’s approach to governing amid the country’s culture wars. External groups, including those affiliated with Heritage Foundationthey run expensive campaigns to support Hegseth’s bid.

Chairman Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., said Hegseth was undoubtedly an “unconventional candidate.”

Wicker compared Hegseth to Trump himself, dismissed the various allegations against him as baseless and said he would “bring energy and fresh ideas to shake up the bureaucracy.”

But Sen. Jack Reed, D-I. he said flatly, “I don’t think you’re qualified to handle the overwhelming demands of this job.”

The hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee begins with, among others, week marathon as senators begin to scrutinize Trump’s picks for a dozen top administration positions. The Republican-led Senate is rushing to confirm some of Trump’s picks as early as Inauguration Day, Jan. 20, despite potential opposition from some on both sides of the aisle. With a slim GOP majority, they need almost all Republicans to support Trump’s election if Democrats oppose.

Hegseth faces perhaps the most difficult road to confirmation. He will be forced to confront sexual assault allegations, which he has denied, and his own comments that stray from the military mainstream, although he has support from some veterans groups who say his past indiscretions are not as important as this one what he focuses on. on improving military readiness for combat.

“It will be torn apart. He will be humiliated. He will be talked about,” Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., said at an event attended by former Navy SEALs, Army Special Forces and Marines who supported the candidate. “But we will get him to the finish line.”

Hegseth will have to answer for his comments that women “should immediately” not be in combat roles in the military, a comment he softened after recent meetings with senators. Two former combat veterans, Republican Joni Ernst Iowa and Democrats Tammy Duckworth from Illinois, are among those grilling him from the podium.

“He can try to take back his comments about women in combat all he wants, but we know what he thinks, right?” said Duckworth, an Iraq War veteran who lost her legs and part of her right arm when the Black Hawk helicopter she was piloting in the Air National Guard was shot down. “He is the most unqualified person ever nominated to be secretary of defense.”

Many senators have not yet met with Hegseth, and most do not have access to his FBI background check because only committee leaders have been briefed on the findings. Hegseth’s background check appeared to be inadequate and did not investigate or provide new information beyond what is already in the public sphere about him, according to a person familiar with the situation who insisted on anonymity to discuss the matter.

In many respects, the Hegseth trial is expected to follow the template set during Trump’s first term, when one of his Supreme Court justice picks Brett Kavanaughhe came under intense scrutiny following allegations of sexual assault from his teenagers, but he recovered and won confirmation before the Supreme Court.

Kavanaugh fought back vigorously 2018 volcano hearingportraying the sexual assault allegations against him as a smear by liberal lawmakers and outside groups opposed to his judicial record, turning the tables in a way that many senators see as setting a new benchmark for partisanship.