Pete Hegseth confirmation hearing: Former Fox anchor slammed for being incompetent

A slew of senators called Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of defense, incompetent as they railed against his track record in the military, including misogynistic statements, and his lack of experience

During an explosive confirmation hearing, Donald Trump’s pick for defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, was torn to shreds as he was questioned on his viability for the position amid a rocky past, which includes allegations of sexual assault.

Hegseth, who is a former combat veteran with the Army National Guard and a TV news show host, brought to the table a jarring record of past statements and actions, which include the sexual assault accusations as well as excessive drinking and some exceptionally derisive views about women in military combat roles, minorities and generals he considers “woke.”

If confirmed, Hegseth vowed not to drink alcohol while he leads the Pentagon — but many of his former coworkers aren’t so sure he’ll be able to pull that off.

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From 2017 to 2024, Hegseth hosted a segment of Fox & Friends on Fox News, often welcoming staunch conservatives. He was also the executive director of Vets for Freedom and Concerned Veterans for America.

Trump and his allies believe Hegseth’s former experience with the Army National Guard makes him an asset for the position of defense secretary, but due to the aforementioned controversies, he remains among the most endangered of Trump’s Cabinet choices.

His GOP allies were determined to turn Hegseth into a cause célèbre for Trump’s governing approach as he actively propagates culture wars, with some outside groups, including some aligned with the Heritage Foundation, running expensive campaigns designed to place Hegseth’s bid on a pedestal.

Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) said he’s confident the Senate will vote for Hegseth once they see what he represents. “He will be ripped. He will be demeaned. He will be talked about,” Tuberville said at an event with former Navy SEALs, Army special forces and Marines supporting the nominee. “But we’re going to get him across the finish line.”

Tuesday’s hearing in front of the Senate Armed Services Committee is just the start of a weeklong marathon involving senators closely scrutinizing Trump’s Cabinet picks for more than a dozen top positions in his administration.

The Senate, which is currently Republican-led, is rushing to get some of the president-elect’s picks ready to be confirmed by Inauguration Day next week despite potential opposition to some of the picks from both sides of the aisle.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) said on Fox News, “We’re going to grind them down.” Of the picks, Hegseth is arguably in the most precarious position amid his allegations of sexual assault, which he has vehemently denied, and his off-brand comments that don’t trend with the military mainstream — though he has garnered support from some veterans’ groups that believe his past indiscretions aren’t as important as his promise to focus on improving military readiness during a turbulent period on the world stage.

Hegseth will also have to answer for comments that women should “straight up” not be in combat roles in the military, a view he’s softened recently in meetings with senators. Two former female combat veterans, Republican Joni Ernst of Iowa and Democrat Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, are among those grilling him from the dais, even before he officially appears for his hearing.

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

Many senators still haven’t even met with Hegseth and don’t have access to the FBI’s extensive background check on the nominee, with only committee leaders briefed on its findings. A person familiar with that check who was granted anonymity to discuss it, however, said it didn’t appear to produce any new information beyond what’s already in the public realm about Hegseth.

Pete Hegseth’s Senate confirmation hearing descended into mayhem when a man was escorted out after interrupting Trump’s pick for secretary of defense, shouting, “You are a misogynist!”

Shortly after the initial disturbance, two additional protesters were similarly removed from the space. Media from inside the chamber showed security personnel grappling with the shouters, escorting them out through the rear exit.

Aggression spiked as the third protester resisted fiercely; a recording captured at least four officers carrying him, restraining his limbs as he struggled violently in their grasp.

Hegseth maintained a stoic expression as protesters were escorted out, his annoyance barely concealed as he managed to remain composed during his speech. He would pause, almost rolling his eyes but stopping himself, and then proceed after each interruption.

Throughout the rest of the hearing, Hegseth took shots at the Democratic senators grilling him and made snide comments towards Republicans who were against his nomination.