Trump defense Pete Hegsett chose the Senate confirmation hearing

Defense Secretary hopeful Pete Hughes called himself the target of a “coordinated smear campaign” as his high-profile Senate confirmation hearings began Tuesday.

Hedges said reports of alleged sexual misconduct, alcohol abuse and abuse of nonprofit organizations were based on “anonymous sources” and sold to “media outlets trying to destroy me.”

But Democrats in the Senate bristled at those and other controversies throughout the tense hearing about whether the 44-year-old Army veteran and former Fox News host is fit to lead the Pentagon, the nation’s largest government agency.

Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., acknowledged Hughes’ past infidelity and advised them not to “turn this into an anonymous press thing,” with some allegations against him on the record.

Hegseth has faced earlier criticism from Democrats about his past comments about the role of women and other military groups.

“You humiliated active-duty service members,” said Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y. “We have hundreds, hundreds of women who are in the infantry right now, the deadliest members of our military, serving in the infantry. But you put them down.”

Hegseth said he respects all female service members and is only concerned about standards being lowered for the military.

Asked for an example, Gillibrand said there are quotas for female infantry officers.

“That’s not the case,” Gillibrand shot back.

In his opening remarks, committee chairman Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., said Heggsett’s unusual candidacy would make him a “very good choice” and compared him to President-elect Donald Trump.

But Sen. Jack Reid of Rhode Island, the Democrat on the committee, told Hegseth bluntly: “I don’t believe you are qualified to meet the high demands of this job.”

Reed said he found the allegations against Hegsett “extremely troubling.”

“I have voted for all of your predecessors, including the first Trump administration. Unfortunately, you lack the character and poise and competence to be secretary of defense,” Reid said.

Hegseth received a standing ovation from some of the audience as he entered the courtroom. But soon after he began his opening speech, Hegseth was interrupted three times by booing protesters as he left the room.

Trump stood behind Hughes, who defended himself against the charges.

He said that they were pushed away from the two animal groups and that they did not drink alcohol if confirmed by the Secretary of Defense.

In the year He denied allegations that he sexually assaulted a woman in a hotel while at Fox in 2017. An investigation by police in Monterey, California ended without charges against Hegseth. Hegseth, the lawyer who repeated the allegations, admitted that she had entered into a confidential settlement with the woman.

The district attorney said she did not file charges because “no charges were supported by evidence beyond a reasonable doubt.”

In his opening remarks, Hegseth defended his work experience and leadership credentials, saying he was “incredibly proud” of his work with nonprofits.

Having served tours at Guantanamo Bay, Iraq and Afghanistan, Hegseth has less senior military or government experience than other recent Pentagon leaders. The current Minister of Defense Lloyd AustinFor example, he has over 40 years of military experience and served as the commander of the US Central Command.

“It’s true that I don’t have the same resume as the secretaries of defense of the last 30 years,” Hughes said in his opening remarks.

But, as President Trump also told me, retired generals, academics or defense contractors — and where does that get us? he said.

The revelations about Hughes have fueled speculation that Trump may be the second to resign, after former GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz rejected a bid for attorney general.

But some Republicans have It is reported In recent days, Hegsett is believed to have enough support to pass the Armed Services Committee and be confirmed by the Senate.

There is the status of Hegsett’s candidacy. Comparisons drawn It was the dramatic Senate hearing that focused on sexual assault allegations against Brett Kavanaugh, Trump’s second Supreme Court nominee.

Cavanaugh, who vehemently denied those allegations, was upheld 50-48.

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