Birds fly exterior the US Capitol on January 18, 2025 (Picture by Allison ROBBERT / AFP)
WASHINGTON, United States — The US Senate appeared poised Friday to narrowly affirm former Fox Information host Peter Hegseth for protection secretary, with opponents saying Donald Trump’s decide has nowhere close to the expertise for the large job and a disturbing historical past of heavy consuming and home abuse.
Hegseth’s resume is so skinny and his record of alleged private points so lengthy that he makes an uncommon decide to steer the world’s greatest nuclear-armed army with about 2.9 million staff and an $850 billion funds.
He has by no means led a big group. He served as a significant within the Nationwide Guard however is best recognized for his work till lately as a bunch on Trump-friendly Fox Information.
After his nomination, a slew of damaging testimony emerged about previous heavy consuming, accusations of abusive habits towards his second spouse, and one case of sexual assault.
Hegseth denies any wrongdoing and Trump has stood by him, telling reporters Friday: “Pete’s a really, excellent man.”
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Hegseth has a combative media persona, fierce loyalty, and telegenic seems — frequent hallmarks in Trump’s entourage.
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Supporters say his deployments in Afghanistan and Iraq give him the perception to run the Pentagon higher than the highest brass usually thought of for the job.
In his Senate hearings and media appearances, Hegseth has aggressively pushed house the necessity to make the US army much less “woke” and extra “deadly.” He has additionally centered on ending what he says has been reducing of requirements to assist ladies enter the army.
He calls the allegations of improper private habits in opposition to him “smears” however has mentioned he’ll cease consuming alcohol if confirmed to go the Pentagon.
Difficult Senate math
Republicans maintain solely a skinny majority within the Senate and two of the social gathering’s 53 senators — Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski — are anticipated to vote in opposition to Hegseth, becoming a member of what is predicted to be a unanimous “no” from Democrats.
That will nonetheless permit Hegseth to squeak by. If yet one more Republican voted in opposition to, it will make 50-50 — with Trump’s vice chairman, JD Vance, coming to interrupt the tie.
On Thursday, the Senate confirmed John Ratcliffe to go the CIA, whereas a vote on Kristi Noem’s nomination to steer Homeland Safety is predicted Sunday morning.
Focus then shifts to Treasury nominee Scott Bessent and Trump’s decide for Transport, Sean Duffy.
These votes will not be anticipated to be troublesome for the Republicans.
Nevertheless, the divisions uncovered by Hegseth’s nomination will flare up once more subsequent week when three extra of Trump’s most contentious nominees enter the highlight.
Kash Patel — Trump’s decide to steer the FBI — goes earlier than the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday, the identical day as Tulsi Gabbard’s listening to in entrance of the Senate Intelligence Committee.
Each are dealing with main questions over their character, judgment, and former positions, together with Gabbard’s echoing of Kremlin speaking factors on Ukraine. They aren’t anticipated to get any Democratic help.
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Thursday is more likely to be a day of drama because the Senate holds the primary of two scheduled affirmation hearings for Trump’s Well being Secretary nominee Robert F Kennedy Jr, who’s more likely to be grilled on his anti-vaccine statements and embrace of different conspiracy theories.