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President-elect Donald J. Trump’s pick for defense secretary said nothing that would alienate the Republican senators on the Armed Services Committee.
- Jan. 14, 2025, 5:36 p.m. ET
Pete Hegseth’s four-hour hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday was strikingly contentious. Democrats derided him as unqualified to oversee the Defense Department’s three million employees and $849 billion budget. Republicans acknowledged that he was an unconventional pick, but suggested that might be just what the Pentagon needs.
Here are four takeaways from the hearing:
Hegseth looks as if he has the votes to get out of committee.
Despite all the fireworks at the proceeding, it seems that Mr. Hegseth has the votes he needs to move on. None of his answers seemed to disturb the Republicans who control the committee.
A vote has been scheduled for Monday.
A signal of how things would go for him came early in questions from Senator Joni Ernst, Republican of Iowa. Her vote is considered key since she is a veteran and has also fought for greater protections against sexual assault in the military.
Just six weeks ago, Ms. Ernst voiced reservations about Mr. Hegseth’s qualifications. Since then, she has been the subject of intense lobbying by conservative groups on his behalf.
She has not yet said which way she will vote, but she used her time at the hearing mostly to help him.
She pressed him repeatedly on the importance of auditing the Pentagon — a relatively safe topic. She also encouraged him to repeat promises she has said he had made to her privately about appointing a senior officer to strengthen her past work to prevent sexual assault and rape in the military.
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