Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) criticized the “hypocritical” line of questioning by Democratic senators during defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth's confirmation hearing.
Hegseth, who was nominated by President-elect Donald Trump to lead the Pentagon in the next administration, faced a series of tough questions from Democratic senators on the Armed Services Committee during his confirmation hearing Tuesday.
“I think it's so hypocritical, especially for senators on the other side, to talk about their qualifications,” Mullin said of his Democratic colleagues before beginning his questioning of Hegseth. “Still, you are not qualified to do more than that.”
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Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma speaks during his Senate Armed Services Committee confirmation hearing on Tuesday, January 14, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Al Drago)
The Oklahoma Republican later pointed out that Democrats were questioning Hegseth about claims that the defense nominee came to work drunk, which Hegseth denies.
Marin hit back at claims about Hegseth's character, accusing the elected senator of showing up drunk to vote before.
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“Senator Kaine, or maybe the senator from Virginia, started bringing up the fact that what if you show up to work drunk? How many senators have drunk themselves to vote in the middle of the night? Did he show up?'' Marin charged, and laughter could be heard from the people in the room. “Did any of you ask them to resign and quit their jobs? And I know you saw it, so don't say you didn't see it.”
During Hegseth's third hour of questioning, senators continued to call on Democratic lawmakers.
President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth testifies during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Capitol Hill, Washington, DC, January 14, 2025. (Alison Robert)
“So, do you know how many senators have divorced because their wives cheated? Have you asked them to resign? No,” Mullin said. “Whenever someone makes a mistake, you always want to make a big show of it, point out the hypocrisy, and sit there and say he doesn’t deserve it. Make a joke, you guys. It's so stupid to think of yourself this way.'' With this higher standard, you forget that you've got a big plank in your eye. ”
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Before beginning his questioning, Marin thanked Hegseth's wife, Jennifer, for “loving him through that mistake.”
“The only reason I'm here and not in prison is because my wife loves me too. I've changed, but I'm not perfect,” he said.
