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Two prominent Republican senators have officially announced their opposition to President Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth.
Some shit you should know before you read: Shortly before President Trump took office, former Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced his resignation, paving the way for a contentious confirmation process for Trump’s nominee, Pete Hegseth. Hegseth, a veteran and Fox News contributor, has faced significant scrutiny over allegations of sexual misconduct, financial mismanagement at nonprofit organizations, and concerns about his lack of experience in high-level defense operations. One of the key allegations comes from a 2017 accusation of sexual assault, which Hegseth has vehemently denied but admitted a consensual affair while he was still married to his second wife.
What’s going on now: In a Senate vote, lawmakers advanced Pete Hegseth’s nomination for Secretary of Defense by a narrow 51-49 margin, with Republican Senators Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine joining Democrats in voting against him. Murkowski expressed serious reservations about Hegseth’s qualifications, citing his lack of managerial experience and past, including allegations of financial mismanagement and inappropriate behavior during his leadership of two nonprofit veterans’ organizations. She stated that “managing the Department of Defense requires vast experience and expertise” and argued that Hegseth’s background does not demonstrate the readiness or character necessary for the role. Murkowski also pointed to Hegseth’s previously stated opposition to women in combat, noting that his recent change in position failed to fully address her concerns about the message his confirmation would send to servicewomen.
Senator Collins voiced similar criticisms, describing Hegseth’s qualifications as inadequate for overseeing one of the largest institutions in the world. She noted that his “limited managerial experience” and lack of understanding of key military policies raised doubts about his ability to effectively lead the Pentagon.
This all comes as the Senate prepares for a final confirmation vote on Pete Hegseth’s nomination, which is expected to take place tomorrow. With Republican Senators Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins already voting “no” during the procedural stage, the GOP can only afford two additional defections among its slim 53-47 majority, as three no votes would reduce the total to 50-50 and require Vice President JD Vance to step in as the tiebreaker.
