Sen. Lisa Murkowski announced Thursday that she will vote against confirming Pete Hegseth as Pentagon secretary, becoming the first Republican to oppose President Donald Trump's Cabinet picks.
The Alaska Republican Party's decision comes ahead of a key test vote to advance Hegseth's nomination toward confirmation.
It is rare for a cabinet minister to be faced with such swirling allegations of misconduct, including excessive drinking and aggressive behavior towards women, which he largely denies. President Trump has backed Hegseth, and the Senate Armed Services Committee chairman has dismissed the claims as factually incorrect.
“I am categorically determined that nominee Mr. Hegseth is ready to be the next Secretary of Defense,” the chairman, Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi), said in a statement on the eve of the test vote. . . “The Senate must confirm this nominee as soon as possible.”
A new president's national security nominee is often first in line to be assured of America's security at home and abroad. The Senate has already overwhelmingly confirmed Marco Rubio as secretary of state by unanimous vote, and is expected to confirm John Ratcliffe as CIA director later on Thursday.
However, Mr. Hegseth is accused of sexually assaulting a woman at a Republican convention in California (which he denies was consensual) and at an event when he led a veterans group. He is in a category of his own amid allegations of heavy drinking. He also said women should not serve in combat missions, a position he later softened during the approval process.
New allegations came to light this week in an affidavit from his former sister-in-law, who claims Mr Hegseth was so abusive to his second wife that she feared for her safety. Hegseth denies the charges. In the divorce case, neither Hegseth nor the woman alleged that they were victims of domestic violence.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said Thursday that Hegseth was unsuitable for the job, citing his personal conduct, including alcohol use, and his lack of experience.
“One of the kindest words that might be used to describe Mr. Hegseth is insane, and that's not a word you want in the Department of Defense,” Schumer said. “He clearly has judgment issues.”
Hegseth, a Princeton and Harvard-educated military veteran, began his career at Fox News, where he hosted a weekend show. President Trump nominated him to lead an organization with approximately 2.1 million military personnel, approximately 780,000 civilians, and an $850 billion budget.
Hegseth promised not to drink on the job if confirmed.
But senators still have questions about his experience and competency, as well as his alleged actions that could lead to discipline or termination of the service members he will lead.
A simple majority of 50 senators will be needed to advance Hegseth's confirmation in Thursday's vote. Most Republicans, who hold a majority of 53 seats in the House, have indicated they will support the nominee, including Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), who is herself a military veteran and sexual assault survivor.
Vice President J.D. Vance could be asked to break the tie vote to move Hegseth toward confirmation.
During his heated confirmation hearing, Hegseth demonstrated his military credentials and vowed to bring a “warrior culture” to the Pentagon's top post, while bashing each accusation of wrongdoing and calling it a “slander.” Rejected.
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