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Trump’s Pick For Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth Faces Allegations Of Misconduct.
(VOR News) – Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s defense secretary contender, vowed Tuesday to promote a “warrior culture” at the Pentagon and faced misbehavior allegations during a boisterous Senate confirmation hearing with demonstrators and veterans.
Hegesth did not address sexual assault, excessive drinking, or his harsh views on women in battle and minorities as senators consider whether the veteran and TV news anchor should command the military. He highlighted the Army National Guard combat service. The leader should have dusty shoes.
Pete Hegseth asserted his status as a changemaker.
Pete Hegseth called the sexual assault claim a “smear campaign.” When asked about his personal behavior and marital adultery, Hegseth said, “I am not a perfect person.”
Hegseth was questioned for hours by senators, with the Republican Armed Services Committee chairman calling his judgment “unconventional” and the leading Democrat warning of “extremely alarming” charges.
Chairman Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., denied the claims and said Pete Hegseth would “bring energy and fresh ideas to shake up the bureaucracy.” I believe you are unqualified for this job’s huge duties, said Sen. Jack Reed, D-RI.
New Iraq and Afghanistan veterans like Pete Hegseth, 44, are valued for their military knowledge. He also made offensive remarks against women, minorities, and “woke” generals. He promised to refrain from alcohol as Pentagon chief.
Trump tweeted in the morning that Hegseth has “my Complete and Total support”. A weeklong marathon began as senators assessed Trump’s almost a dozen key administrative picks. Hegseth has the hardest path to confirmation, but GOP friends want him to symbolize Trump’s culture problems. Heritage Foundation allies and other wealthy groups support Hegseth.
The gathering included military-themed men and protesters who momentarily disrupted proceedings. Belligerent while denying sexual assault charges and making non-military remarks. An American flag pocket square on his suitcoat showed his military heritage, not academics.
Despite opposing military diversity and women in battle, Pete Hegseth said the military “was a forerunner in courageous racial integration.”
He said diversity and inclusion programs “divide” troops and don’t stress meritocracy. After consulting senators, he reversed his claim that women should “straight up” and not fight.
Senator Jeanne Shaheen pointed out the change. What was it?
In an angry exchange, Sen. Kristen Gillibrand, D-N.Y., warned Pete Hegseth: “You will have to change how you see women doing this job.” After Hegseth said entering the military would be a “privilege of a lifetime”, Iowa Senator Joni Ernst was less hostile.
Most senators have never met Hegseth, and only committee leaders know his FBI history. Reed called the background check “insufficient.” An anonymous source said it did not investigate him or unearth new information. Brett Kavanaugh was confirmed in Trump’s first term despite sexual assault allegations. Hegseth’s hearing followed.
That’ll tear him. Honor will suffer. At a gathering with former Navy SEALs, Army special forces, and Marines supporting the campaign, Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., said he will be discussed. “But we’ll finish him.”
Republican-led Senate rushes to confirm Trump candidates before Jan. 20 inauguration. Most Republicans must support Trump with a thin majority if Democrats refuse.
Hegseth was unknown on Capitol Hill before Trump appointed him Pentagon chief. As a co-host of “Fox & Friends Weekend,” he drew the attention of the president-elect, who adores TV and news.
Attaching Princeton University and the Army National Guard from 2002 to 2021, Hegseth accumulated two Bronze Stars in Afghanistan in 2011 and Iraq in 2005. He lacks, however, top military and national security experience.
Pete Hegseth allegedly sexually harassed a woman in 2017 after protracted investigation. Hegseth informed cops at a California Republican women’s event that the interaction was consensual.
The woman and Pete Hegseth quietly settled down.
North Dakota Republican Sen. Kevin Cramer questioned Pete Hegseth’s white nationalist tattoos. His “Deus Vult” tattoo made Hegseth a “insider threat.” Cramer skipped it.
Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., said Hegseth had “real problems” commanding the military due to administrative inexperience. Strategic ambiguity stopped Hegseth from responding to Hawaii Democratic Rep. Mazie Hirono’s question about whether he would implement Trump’s instructions to massacre protestors, assault Denmark-controlled Greenland, or occupy the Panama Canal.
If confirmed, Hegseth would oversee a military facing global crises, domestic recruitment, retention, and financing. The defense secretary manages 2.1 million service men, 780,000 civilians, and a $850 billion budget while advising the president on national security.
The secretary commands tens of thousands of U.S. troops in Syria, Iraq, and Yemen overseas and at sea. The president receives final unit deployment, location, and duration recommendations from the secretary.
The secretary must prepare the U.S. military for any assignment. American troops at home must get housing, health care, wages, and suicide, sexual assault, and financial scam prevention programs from the secretary.
Pentagon commanders address military aid, counterterrorism, troop presence, and coalition building with world leaders. Regional NATO allies depend on them.
SOURCE: AP
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