Pete Hegseth's confirmation hearing on the Senate Armed Services Committee “couldn't have gone any better,” new Sen. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) tells Breitbart News in an exclusive interview. .
While Democrats were unable to land a blow against President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for secretary of defense, Hegseth deftly weathered attempts to provoke an emotional response.
“Democrats were seizing a golden opportunity. They didn't understand,” Banks told Breitbart News after the hearing. “Pete knocked it out of the park. He acted in a way that everyone there could agree was the right person for the job, and we took him to the Pentagon and got him the job. Time is of the essence.”
Democrats, including Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI), have called for different rules for Hegseth's confirmation hearing than those set by Biden's Pentagon Secretary, Lloyd Austin. Additionally, some Democrats have previously unfairly accused Hegseth of refusing to meet with them.
“I've seen the back and forth between Pete's schedulers and all of the Democratic schedulers, and Pete's unwillingness to meet with them,” Banks told Breitbart News. It's a complete lie,” he said. “His scheduler contacted every office, but they were delayed and made it nearly impossible for him to meet with his bosses. So the Democrats stood up and made it seem like he didn't want to meet with them. Acting like that is pure insanity.”
Democrats did not present any new information during the hearing, even though they insisted they needed more time for questioning.
“They kept hinting or threatening that they were going to make a bombshell, and it was all the same bullshit anonymous accusations we've heard before,” he said. “So, there was nothing new. So Pete, he did a great job. He would be a great secretary.”
As a member of the House of Representatives, Mr. Banks formed the Anti-Woke Caucus and has spoken out against the Pentagon's prioritization of Woke social policy over military preparedness. He said Hegseth would bring “immediate” results in reorienting the department toward its core mission.
“Donald Trump chose Pete Hegseth for this very reason: to stop woke discrimination in the military and stop the ridiculous woke briefings and training that take priority away from combat. [to] “The military should stay focused on what it's supposed to be doing,” he said. “The Senate needs to confirm that and send him there, because that would be an immediate, night-and-day change from where we are today.”
Banks believes Hegseth will have “strong” support on the Senate floor.
“I think it's important to keep in mind that Pete is just gaining support,” he said, adding that the momentum Hegseth gained in the hearings could confirm him. I expected it to push me to.
The committee is scheduled to vote on Hegseth's nomination on Monday, hours after President Trump's inauguration.
Bradley Jay is the deputy political editor at Breitbart News. please follow him X/Twitter and Instagram @BradleyAJaye.
