By LISA MASCARO and MARY CLARE JALONICK, Related Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. Lisa Murkowski introduced Thursday that she’s going to vote in opposition to confirming Pete Hegseth to guide Pentagon, changing into the primary Republican to oppose certainly one of President Donald Trump’s Cupboard picks.
The Alaska Republican’s determination comes forward of a vital take a look at vote to advance Hegseth’s nomination towards affirmation.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows under.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate GOP leaders rushed to advance Pete Hegseth as President Donald Trump’s protection secretary nominee in a vital take a look at vote Thursday, regardless of grave objections from Democrats and stirring unease amongst Republicans over his habits and {qualifications} to guide the U.S. army.
Hardly ever has a Cupboard alternative encountered such swirling allegations of wrongdoing, together with extreme consuming and aggressive actions towards girls, which he has largely denied. Trump is standing by Hegseth, and the chairman of the Senate Armed Companies Committee has dismissed the claims as factually inaccurate.
“I am ironclad in my assessment that the nominee, Mr. Hegseth, is prepared to be the next secretary of defense,” the chairman, Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., stated in a press release on the eve of the take a look at vote. “The Senate needs to confirm this nominee as fast as possible.”
A brand new president’s nationwide safety nominees are sometimes the primary to be lined up for affirmation, to uncertain U.S. security at residence and overseas. Already the Senate has overwhelmingly confirmed Marco Rubio as secretary of state in a unanimous vote, and it was on observe to substantiate John Ratcliffe as CIA director later Thursday.
However Hegseth stands in a class of his personal amid allegations that he sexually assaulted a lady at a Republican convention in California, which he has denied as a consensual encounter, and of heavy consuming at occasions when he led a veterans group. He has additionally stated girls mustn’t work in fight roles, a view he has since tempered throughout his affirmation course of.
A brand new declare emerged this week in an affidavit from a former sister-in-law who claimed Hegseth was abusive to his second spouse to the purpose that she feared for her security. Hegseth has denied the allegation. In divorce proceedings, neither Hegseth nor the girl claimed to be a sufferer of home abuse.
Senate Democratic Chief Chuck Schumer stated Thursday that Hegseth is unqualified for the job due to his private habits, together with consuming, and his lack of expertise.
“One of the kindest words that might be used to describe Mr. Hegseth is erratic, and that’s a term you don’t want at DOD,” Schumer stated. “He has a clear problem of judgment.”
Hegseth has promised to not drink on the job if confirmed.
However senators have remained uncertain of his expertise and skills and the alleged habits that would result in reprimand or firing for army personnel he would now be anticipated to guide.
It would take a easy majority of fifty senators to advance Hegseth’s affirmation in Thursday’s vote. Most Republicans, who maintain a 53-seat majority within the chamber, have signaled they’ll again the nominee, together with Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, herself a fight veteran and sexual assault survivor.
Nevertheless, a number of GOP senators, together with Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, are being extensively watched for his or her votes.
Vice President JD Vance might be known as upon to interrupt a tie vote to advance Hegseth towards affirmation.
Throughout a fiery affirmation listening to, Hegseth swatted away allegations of wrongdoing one after the other — dismissing them as “smears” — as he displayed his army credentials and vowed to convey “warrior culture” to the highest Pentagon put up.
Wicker stated he had been briefed a 3rd time on the FBI background investigation into Hegseth. He stated “the allegations unfairly impugning his character do not pass scrutiny.”
Initially Printed: January 23, 2025 at 10:50 AM PST
