Trump’s Controversial Hegseth Inches Closer to Def Sec Job

Hegseth, Colling, Murkowski split
Illustration by Eric Faison/The Daily Beast/Getty Images

Pete Hegseth, President Donald Trump’s choice to lead the Pentagon, edged closer Thursday to winning Senate confirmation in spite of a slew of allegations that he has abused women and alcohol.

All but two GOP senators—Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins—voted Thursday to advance the former Fox News host, despite allegations that painted him as an alcoholic and serial abuser, including in a new sworn affidavit form his former sister-in-law.

Murkowski of Alaska was the first voice of opposition in defiance of the newly elected president.

“The leader of the Department of Defense must demonstrate and model the standards of behavior and character we expect of all service members, and Mr. Hegseth’s nomination to the role poses significant concerns that I cannot overlook,” she said. “Given the global security environment we’re operating in, it is critical that we confirm a Secretary of Defense, however, I regret that I am unable to support Mr. Hegseth.”

Sen. Susan Collins of Maine then joined Murkowski as a voice of dissent, and voted against advancing Hegseth’s nomination.

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“The Secretary is going to be facing a number of incredibly complex problems that are going to require highly skilled management ability,” Collins said. “I am concerned that Mr. Hegseth does not have the the management experience and background that he will need in order to tackle these difficulties.”

Collins also condemned Hegseth’s past comments disparaging women serving in the military.

Trump’s nominee ultimately garnered the support needed on a crucial procedural vote to set the stage for a final Senate confirmation vote, which is expected to take place late Friday. The vote Thursday was 51-49, with all Democrats voting against promoting Hegseth.

Hegseth skeptics have raised concerns about not having access to a full FBI background check into allegations of sexual misconduct, abusive behavior and signs of alcohol abuse. They included charges of drunken behavior at a strip club while wearing his military uniform and that he smelled of alcohol on the job at Fox News.

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“I’ve heard from others that pertinent information has not been included, and that is troubling. When you’re making a decision about a nominee, you want to have as complete a picture as possible,” Collins said on Wednesday.

The procedural vote came after Pete Hegseth’s former sister-in-law told senators in a sworn affidavit that his ex-wife, Samantha Hegseth, feared for her safety and used a “safe word” in the event she was in danger.

“I believe Hegseth has an alcohol abuse problem and was abusive to his ex-wife Samantha, as I understand those terms as a lay person,” Danielle Hegseth said in her affidavit.

The former Fox News host has vehemently denied wrongdoing. And Hegseth’s allies have pointed to his former sister-in-law stating she did not personally witness the abuse and Samantha Hegseth denying the accusations to NBC News. She told the network: “I do not believe your information to be accurate, and I have cc’d my lawyer.”

Several GOP senators who voiced early reservations about his nomination, including Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA), were ultimately swayed to support him following grassroots pressure and one-on-one meetings with the nominee.

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Hegseth can only lose three GOP votes, which would allow Vice President JD Vance to break a tie unless Democrats opt to break party lines and back the nominee.

Democrats have largely railed against his nomination. Sen. Jack Reed, the highest ranking Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said on the Senate floor Thursday that testimony from Hegseth’s former sister-in-law “was not adequately included” in the Trump transition team’s background documents.

“Which begs the question,” he said, “what else is missing from the FBI report?”