President-elect Donald Trump's pick to head the Pentagon, Pete Hegseth, faced a heated debate in the Senate on Tuesday as lawmakers decided whether to support the nominee.
Mr. Hegseth faced intense questioning from Democrats during his Armed Services Committee hearing, including over his previous comments about women serving in combat roles, and at one point was attacked by demonstrators who disrupted the hearing. Interrupted.
President Trump nominated Hegseth in November, days after his decisive election victory over Vice President Harris, praising him as a “warrior for our military and our country.”
After Hegseth's hours-long hearing concluded, FOX News Digital compiled a list of the top five moments.
Pete Hegseth gives opening statement at Senate confirmation hearing
Hegseth's moving opening remarks
Hegseth became emotional during his opening remarks Tuesday morning, thanking his wife and other family members for supporting him throughout the nomination process.
“Thank you to my amazing wife, Jennifer, for changing my life and being with me through this entire process. I love you, sweetheart, and I thank God for you,” he breathed. I said while choking.
“And Jenny and I pray together every morning, and regardless of the outcome, all glory belongs to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” he said. “God's grace and mercy abound daily. Thy will be done.”
Hegseth was an “incredibly talented and battle-proven leader,” military review says.
Hegseth, a former Fox News host, married Jennifer in 2013, and the couple share a blended family of seven children.
“I would like to thank my entire family, including my father, Brian, my mother, Penny, and our seven wonderful children (Gunner, Jackson, Peter Boone, Kensington, Luke, Rex…Gwendolyn). We wish them all the best in their future safety and security. “It's in our hands,” he said.
Senator Hirono claims that if confirmed, Hegseth will lead a military invasion of Greenland.
Democratic Hawaii Sen. Maisie Hirono was criticized on social media for asking Hegseth during Tuesday's hearing whether he would lead a military invasion of Greenland if confirmed as defense secretary.
”[The] The president-elect has attacked allies in recent weeks, not ruling out seizing Greenland and the Panama Canal by military force, and threatening to seize Canada to become its 51st state. Will you carry out President Trump's order to seize by force Greenland, a territory of NATO ally Denmark? Or are you going to follow the order to take over the Panama Canal?'' Hirono asked on Tuesday.
Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii (Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images/File)
President Trump has said in recent weeks that he wants to buy Greenland from Denmark, referred to Canada as the “51st state” of the United States, referred to outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as Canada's “governor” and said he wanted to buy Greenland from Denmark, and called “the governor of the Panama Canal” “We will demand construction,” he vowed. Returned to the United States immediately and without question and at full cost. ”
Democratic senator's “lies and stupidity” during Hegseth hearing sparks fire on social media: “Clown show”
Mr. Hegseth dismissed Mr. Hirono's questions at the hearing, saying, “Mr. Trump never twists his hand strategically.''
“I would never publicly state that I would in any way direct the president's orders,” Hegseth responded.
After Hirono's question, viewers who watched the exchange caused an uproar on social media, with some labeling Hirono the “least intelligent lawmaker” and others calling the burning a “clown show.” .
“Hirono was playing judge, jury, and executioner based on lies and stupidity,” wrote Rep. Nancy Mace, R.S.C., in a post about X.
Protests erupt at public hearing
Hegseth's opening remarks at the hearing were interrupted by several demonstrators who called him a “Christian Zionist” and a “misogynist” over the Israeli war.
“Veterans are committing suicide and becoming homeless, while we send money to bomb children in Gaza,” said one exhausted female demonstrator as she was escorted from the hearing. The screams can be seen on video from Fox News Digital.
At least three protesters were seen being dragged out of the hearing with zip ties and hands behind their backs.
“You're a misogynist,” one demonstrator shouted at Hegseth.
Hegseth is interrupted by demonstrators during Senate confirmation hearing
“Thank you for having my back, figuratively and literally,” Hegseth said after being interrupted, returning to his opening statement. “I pledge to do the same for all of you.”
A Capitol Police officer removes protesters during the Senate Armed Services Committee's confirmation hearing for Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth on January 14, 2025. (Kent Nishimura/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) asked Hegseth during the hearing about protesters, including the war in Israel that has been going on since October 2023.
“Another demonstrator, I believe this was a member of Code Pink, which by the way is a recent Chinese communist front group, said you support Israel's war in Gaza. “I support Israel's existential war in Gaza. I think so. Like me and President Trump, you support that war,” Cotton said. .
A Capitol Police officer removes protesters during the Senate Armed Services Committee's confirmation hearing for Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth on January 14, 2025. (Kent Nishimura/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Hegseth responded, “I support Israel in destroying and killing every last member of Hamas.''
“And a third protester said something about 20 years of genocide. I think it's our wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Our troops have committed genocide in Iraq. Do you think it is?” and afghanistan?,” Cotton continued.
A Capitol Police officer removes protesters during the Senate Armed Services Committee's confirmation hearing for Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth on January 14, 2025. (Fox Digital)
“Senator, I'm not. I…you know, our military… As many on this committee know, We did the best we could with what we had. …And tragically, the results we saw in Afghanistan under the Biden administration stained that, but not what the men and women in uniform did, as you well know, Senator. Street,” Hegseth replied.
Pete Hegseth plans to head to Capitol Hill for fiery hearing on his record and shake up the Pentagon
Hegseth repeatedly criticizes support for women in combat missions
The candidate has been repeatedly criticized by senators such as Kirsten Gillibrand (D.N.Y.) and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) for past comments about female combatants.
“You say you need a mother, but you don't need a mother in the military, especially in a combat unit.I'm specific to Senator Cotton's question because Senator Cotton wants you to know, especially as Secretary, that different types of Because we taught layups to differentiate combat. Now we're taking action to reinstate the combat weapons exemption for military women, knowing full well that hundreds of women are in that job. ” asked Gillibrand.
Her question references Hegseth's 2024 book, in which he writes, “Fathers push us to take risks. Mothers put training wheels on our bikes. We need mothers.” However, this is not the case in the military, especially in combat units.
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D.N.Y. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call, via Getty Images/File)
Hegseth countered that his discussion of women's military service focuses on the lack of erosion of military discipline.
“Senator, I appreciate your comments and point out that I have never disrespected military women. I respect all military women in uniform, past and present. “Senator, my criticism has been and continues to be, 'In the past, and speaking from personal experience, I've seen standards lowered,'” he responded.
Pete Hegseth says he hasn't heard from West Point since employees refused to accept him.
Ernst, a veteran and Republican, also did not initially publicly support Hegseth's nomination, but questioned the candidate's views on women in the military and made his views “very clear.” ''He said he had a position to express.
“I want to ask again, just to be clear with everyone here today, do you, as Secretary of Defense, support continuing to have the opportunity for women to serve in combat roles?'' Ernst asked.
Pete Hegseth attends his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee on January 14, 2025. (Kent Nishimura/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Hegseth redirected the conversation back to concerns about maintaining high military standards.
“Senator, first of all, I want to thank you for your efforts. We also discussed it thoroughly and my answer is yes, exactly as you warned. Yes, women should be allowed in ground combat roles. , given the standards 'access to combat roles' remains high, so we will be conducting a review to ensure the standards have not eroded,'' Hegseth replied.
Ernst also pressed Hegseth on what efforts she would make to combat sexual assault in the military, noting that it was one of her top three biggest concerns surrounding the military. did.
Republican senator flips the script on Democrats with 'hypocritical' accusation against Hegseth: 'It's so ridiculous'
“My priority is to combat sexual assault in the military and ensure that all service members are treated with dignity and respect. This is extremely important,” Ernst said. “Senator Gillibrand and I are committed to working on this issue to ensure that we can make changes to the Uniform Code of Military Justice to improve and address tragic and life-altering issues such as rape and sexual assault. If you are confirmed, you will need the Department of Defense's time and attention to deal with it so that it can be fixed as well. ”
“So, as secretary of defense, will you appoint a senior official dedicated to preventing and responding to sexual assault?” she asked.
Hegseth said he would appoint officials to such roles, as previously discussed.
Democratic Sen. Kaine accuses defense secretary nominee of infidelity in front of young daughter
Sen. Tim Kaine, Democrat of Virginia. (Reuters/Leah Millis/File)
Sen. Tim Kaine, Democrat of Virginia, whose 7-year-old daughter sat a short distance away during the hearing, peppered Hegseth with several personal questions, including the timing of the affair.
“I'd like to go back to the incident you mentioned earlier that happened in Monterey, California in October 2017. You were still married to your second wife at the time, right?” Kane said in 2017. asked, referring to the sexual assault accusations against Hegseth. The candidate was investigated and cleared of wrongdoing.
“I believe so,” Hegseth replied.
“And you just had a child with the woman who would become your third wife,” Kane pressed. Hegseth has been married three times.
“Senator, I Unjustly accused, I [was] It has been thoroughly investigated and fully cleared,” Hegseth said.
Kane retorted, “Do you think you're completely innocent because you committed no crime? Is that your definition of innocent?”
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“You just had a child two months ago with a woman who is not your wife,” he continued, before noting that Mr Hegseth's daughter was in the audience. “I'm shocked that you can stand here and say you're completely innocent. How can you be so comfortable with cheating on your second wife and the mother of your child who was born two months ago? ”
“Senator, her child's name is Gwendolyn Hope Hegseth. She is a child of God,” Hegseth replied.
“She's seven years old, but I'm glad she's here,” he added.
Fox News Digital's Andrew Mark Miller, Aubrie Spady and Breanne Deppisch contributed to this report.
