5 months ago
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WASHINGTON (NewsNation) — President-elect Donald Trump’s choice for defence secretary, Pete Hegseth, is heading into a perchance explosive Senate confirmation hearing.
Hegseth, a erstwhile TV amusement big and subject veteran, volition reply questions astir allegations of intersexual battle and excessive drinking, arsenic good arsenic his views connected the existent authorities of the U.S. military.
The proceeding earlier the Senate Armed Services Committee is acceptable to commencement astatine 9:30 a.m. ET. It's the commencement of a weeklong marathon as senators statesman scrutinizing Trump’s choices for much than a twelve apical administrative positions. The Republican-led Senate is rushing to person immoderate of Trump’s picks acceptable to beryllium confirmed arsenic soon arsenic Inauguration Day, Jan. 20, contempt imaginable absorption to immoderate from some sides of the aisle.
Hegseth to answer assault allegations
Hegseth, 44, could beryllium confirmed arsenic defence caput with lone Republican support, but helium can't spend to suffer much than 3 Republican votes if his information moves to the afloat Senate.
A large contented surrounding his confirmation involves allegations of intersexual assault. While Hegseth was ne'er charged, the alleged victim, who organized a Republican women’s event, claims they met successful a edifice country successful 2017, wherever Hegseth allegedly took her telephone and refused to fto her leave.
A caregiver who saw the alleged unfortunate days aboriginal stated the pistillate requested a intersexual battle exam and recalled small of the nighttime but believed her portion whitethorn person been spiked.
Hegseth’s lawyer has confirmed helium paid the accuser to debar a lawsuit.
Sen. Joni Ernst a must-watch astatine Hegseth hearing
Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, a seasoned and intersexual battle survivor, could play a pivotal relation successful Tuesday’s hearing. Ernst has met with Hegseth doubly and described the discussions arsenic productive.
Ahead of Tuesday's hearing, some sides spoke astir the value of the event.
The proceeding is expected to code respective topics, including Hegseth’s past comments opposing women successful combat roles and accusing the subject of being “woke.”
Although helium has since walked backmost immoderate of those comments, emphasizing the contributions of women successful the military, a study past period elaborate concerns from Fox News employees astir Hegseth’s drinking habits. He has vowed not to portion if confirmed.
If appointed, Hegseth would pb the Department of Defense, the national government’s largest employer, overseeing 3.4 cardinal work members and civilians with an yearly fund of astir $850 billion.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
