Thank you for joining our live coverage of the Senate confirmation hearing for Pete Hegseth, who has been nominated by President-elect Donald Trump to become the next Defense Secretary. We'll be back tomorrow morning at 10 am eastern time for a slew of additional Cabinet hearings.
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Correction: Mitt Romney's successor might be a "no" vote.
Sen. John Curtis (R-UT)
GOP circled the wagons too
Sen. Markwayne Mullin absolutely DESTROYS Democrats’ line of questioning for Hegseth 🔥 pic.twitter.com/nNBdsqNJEx
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) January 14, 2025
I expect Hegseth to get the nod from the committee. Onto the next battle.
But I sort of wished we had a second round of questioning ... because we could've laughed at Mazie Hirono again
GOP circled the wagons too
Sen. Markwayne Mullin absolutely DESTROYS Democrats’ line of questioning for Hegseth 🔥 pic.twitter.com/nNBdsqNJEx
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) January 14, 2025
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— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) January 14, 2025
We heard the usual nonsense that the liberal media has been saying about Hegseth since Trump nominated him. Nothing new.
Mr. Hegseth was prepared.
Sen. Tammy Duckworth wasn't interested in hearing an answer from Pete Hegseth during her unhinged questioning. She just wanted an opportunity to yell at him.
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) January 14, 2025
Typical. pic.twitter.com/qD4H6o6lGw
Mark Kelly just said his biggest concern with Hegseth was a lack of transparency... pic.twitter.com/cKUNmifGGg
— Emily Jashinsky (@emilyjashinsky) January 14, 2025
Slotkin asked whether Hegseth has been involved in conversations with Trump about using military as a law enforcement apparatus against illegal immigrants.
Hegseth said he would not divulge the content of his conversations with the president-elect.
I know Sen. Slotkin is talking, but is this the image of the day?
Incredible pic.twitter.com/sVaikDoU8B
— Bonchie (@bonchieredstate) January 14, 2025
It's as if the entire Senate Dem caucus decided to re-read Tom Clancy's entire catalog re illegal orders, coups, etc.
It's pathetic and grossly transparent.
Sen. Elissa Slotkin is up now, discussing how the founders did not want to use the military for law enforcement purposes -- particularly Trump's promise to use the military to deport illegal immigrants.
She asked whether Hegseth would push back on Trump if he seeks to use the military for this purpose.
Hilarious that the 'military following illegal orders' is only an issue now because Dems can't beat Trump
Hegseth refers to Biden's botched withdrawal from Afghanistan as "shameful" and a "detriment to our reputation."
He insinuated that this was what emboldened Hamas to attack Israel because "the world recognized weakness for what it was."
Democrats are trying their very best to paint Hegseth as a lecherous lush.
Hegseth isn't letting them. He continues saying that these are "anonymous smears."
The more he repeats that, the better for him.
Hegseth argues the military should do away with "DEI" and "CRT" and points out that "equity" is different from "equality."
Says judging people by "something other than how they do their job" lowers morale
Sen. Eric Schmidt brings up how DEI initiatives in the Air Force discouraged service members not to refer to their parents as "mom" and "dad."
"The secretary of the Air Force...thought we had too many White officers, advocated for quotas."
Sen. Eric Schmidt: "DEI is not about giving everyone an equal opportunity, it is about promoting cultural Marxism."
Sen. Eric Schmidt is up now, praising Hegseth's focus on fostering the "Warrior Ethos."
Sen. Rosen asked whether Hegseth's endorsement of America First policies mean "America Alone" and would mean abandoning our allies.
Hegseth: "Our friends in the world have had no better ally...than Donald Trump."
He pointed out how Trump made NATO become "far more robust" and touted his support for Israel.
Rosen asked if this includes Ukraine and whether Trump will actually end the war without making massive concessions to Vladimir Putin.
Hegseth: "I will always give my best guidance to [President-elect Trump]."
Sen. Rosen asks whether veterans getting benefits are "dependent on the government" or taking advantage of benefits they "earned."
Hegseth answered, "yes."
Sen. Jacky Rosen is knocking Hegseth for questioning VA benefits for veterans.
"Every veteran should have full access to the benefits they have earned," Hegseth said.
Democrat Sens. Gary Peters and Tammy Duckworth appear to be trying to use a more effective line of attack against Hegseth. Instead of carrying on about DEI and women, they are going after his supposed lack of experience in running a large organization.
It's probably the smartest play they could use -- but it won't work because the rest are going to focus on "wokeness."
Sen. Tammy Duckworth claims Hegseth is not prepared to lead the U.S. military "on day one."
Our men and women in uniform are in dire need of someone like Pete Hegseth, with a spine, the heart, and the qualifications to keep them safe and able to fufill their call to service. 🇺🇸
— Rep. Nancy Mace (@RepNancyMace) January 14, 2025
God bless Pete Hegseth. pic.twitter.com/aQ1Xyj2m6J
🚨 JUST IN: Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) tries a "gotcha" question on Pete Hegseth and it immediately backfires.
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) January 14, 2025
The Democrat rushes to cut off Hegseth's response as soon as he starts giving substance.
"Can you give me ANY example of where you've driven innovation at ANY… pic.twitter.com/46FohITYgV
I'll admit it: I can't wait until it's Cory Booker's turn to question Hegseth. The hysterical grandstanding will be epic. I hope Senator Spartacus does not disappoint. 😂😂😂
NEW: Dem Senator tries to paint Pete Hegseth as a wife-beater in the most disgraceful line of questioning yet.
— The Vigilant Fox 🦊 (@VigilantFox) January 14, 2025
TIM KAINE: “Did you ever engage in any acts of physical violence against any of your wives?”
HEGSETH: “Absolutely not.”
KAINE: “But you would agree with me that if… pic.twitter.com/Y3kVfUTRxG