“What are you afraid of? You can’t answer this question?” is just one example of exasperated questioning of Pete Hegseth – President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Defense – in the Senate this week. These questions in particular were asked by Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), a veteran who lost her legs when her helicopter was shot down in Iraq.
In addition to Hegseth on Tuesday, Senators were scheduled to question several other Trump appointees Wednesday. Senators held hearings for six appointees, today with more coming up later in the week.
When news broke that Hegseth, a combat veteran and former Fox News host, was Trump’s pick for Secretary of Defense in December, it was met with almost immediate backlash. Audacy reported at the time that even some Republicans were skeptical of his background, including Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), a military veteran.
While Hegseth eventually secured support from Ernst and praise from others in the GOP, Democratic lawmakers were still critical of his suitability to lead the Department of Defense as of Wednesday.
“Democrats say Hegseth’s lack of experience running a huge department, his past comments about women and Black troops, and allegations of excessive drinking and sexual misconduct make him unfit to serve,” the Associated Press explained.
During the Tuesday Senate hearing, Duckworth, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Sen. Kristin Gillibrand in particular grilled Hegseth about his comments regarding women in the military. Duckworth also questioned him about his ability to handle the massive budget for the Defense Department.
“You’re not qualified,” she told him amid her questioning.
Shaheen brought up Hegseth’s previous comments calling for women not to serve in combat roles and asked him if he supported the Women, Peace and Security Agenda. That legislation was released during Trump’s first term and was supported by other Republicans.
“I will commit to reviewing that program and insuring it aligns with America First national security priorities,” Hegseth said.
Gillibrand also mentioned Hegseth’s previous comments about women, including a recent one from a November interview on a podcast hosted by Shawn Ryan.
“I’m straight up just saying we should not have women in combat roles. It hasn’t made us more effective. Hasn’t made us more lethal. Has made fighting more complicated,” Hegseth said on the podcast. He has also complained about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion measures and what he sees as the military becoming more “woke.”
Gillibrand said Hegseth’s quotes are “terrible,” “brutal,” “mean,” and “disrespectful,” and that she has “concerns,” about his ability to take on the secretary of defense role.
Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) noted that Hegseth sidestepped her answer about whether he would support a call from Trump to use military force to take over Greenland or the Panama Canal, as the president-elect has indicated he would be open to. Sen Tim Kaine (D-Va.) also frilled Hegseth, but focused on his marriages and cheating.
Per the Associated Press, Hegseth – who has been married three times – has acknowledged multiple instances of infidelity. The New York Times also reported that his own mother accused him in a 2018 email of mistreating women but later apologized for it.
“Can you so casually cheat on a second wife and cheat on the mother of a child who had been born two months before?” asked Kaine. He also asked Hegseth if he vowed to be faithful to his wives when he married them.
Hegseth noted at many times throughout the hearing that he is “not perfect.”
Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), a retired Navy captain, also questioned Hegseth about allegations of drinking on the job. To Kelly’s yes-or-no questions, Hegseth most often said “anonymous smears.”
According to AP-NORC poll results released Tuesday, just 19% of the public approves of Hegseth’s appointment as secretary of defense. Even among Republicans, just 41% approved, while 11% of independents did and a scant 6% of Democrats.
Other Trump appointees questioned Wednesday included his pick for attorney general, former attorney general of Florida Pam Bondi; his pick for secretary of energy; Liberty Energy CEO and founder Chris Wright; his pick for secretary of state, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.); his pick to lead the Central Intelligence Agency, former director of national intelligence John L. Ratcliffe; his pick for transportation secretary, Congressman Sean Duffy (R-Wisc.) and his pick to lead the Office of Management and Budget. Russell Vought, who formerly joined the office during Trump’s first term.
Some of the appointees fared better than others. According to the AP, Kaine told Rubio he was impressed at how “well-prepared” he was for the hearing, while The New Republic reported that “Senators on both sides of the aisle took issue,” with Vought for “evasive” answers.
AP-NORC poll results found that the public’s opinion on the appointees overall falls along party lines. However, it noted that “many are skeptical” about some of the key appointees.