Hegseth boosts hopes for confirmation amid grilling
The Senate held confirmation hearings for Pete Hegseth, Trump's Defense Secretary nominee


What happened
The Senate held confirmation hearings Tuesday for Pete Hegseth, the former Fox News host and Army National Guard combat veteran who President-elect Donald Trump has nominated to be Defense Secretary. Hegseth was the first of Trump's Cabinet picks to go before the Senate.
Who said what
Hegseth "endured fierce Democratic grilling over everything from his inexperience, alleged drinking and his past opposition to women in combat" but emerged "largely unscathed among Republicans," Reuters said. His strategic "pattern of denials, memory holes and attacking the 'left-wing' media" may "work for him," Politico said, and serve as a template for Trump's "other troubled nominees."
Democrats said Hegseth lacks the basic qualifications and judgment to lead the "sprawling Pentagon," with "3 million military and civilian personnel, the vast U.S. nuclear arsenal and an annual budget of more than $800 billion," The Washington Post said. Republicans took "turns shoring up the nominee," calling him an "unconventional" pick who would "bring energy and fresh ideas" to the military, The Associated Press said.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
What next?
The Senate Armed Services Committee was expected to vote on Hegseth's nomination Monday. An endorsement last night from Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) — a veteran and key GOP swing vote on the controversial nominee — suggested Hegseth's nomination would advance to the full Senate and pass by a narrow margin.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Music reviews: Bruce Springsteen and Benson Boone
Feature "Tracks II: The Lost Albums" and "American Heart"
-
Why passkeys are the next frontier in digital security
A disruptive new technology promises to put passwords to bed forever — but not yet
-
Thomas Mallon's 6 favorite books from the 80's and early 90's
Feature The author recommends works by James Merrill, Calvin Trillin, and more
-
Thai court suspends prime minister over leaked call
Speed Read Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been suspended, pending an ethics investigation
-
Senate passes GOP megabill after Alaska side deal
The pivotal yes vote came from Sen. Lisa Murkowski, whose support was secured following negotiated side deals for her home state Alaska
-
How would the Trump administration denaturalize immigrant citizens?
Today's Big Question Using civil courts lowers the burden of proof
-
'Trucking is a dangerous business'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Trump sues LA over immigration policies
Speed Read He is suing over the city's sanctuary law, claiming it prevents local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities
-
Obama, Bush and Bono eulogize USAID on final day
Speed Read The US Agency for International Development, a humanitarian organization, has been gutted by the Trump administration
-
Senate advances GOP bill that costs more, cuts more
Speed Read The bill would make giant cuts to Medicaid and food stamps, leaving 11.8 million fewer people with health coverage
-
Trump's strikes on Iran: a 'spectacular success'?
In Depth Military humiliations 'expose the brittleness' of Tehran's ageing regime, but risk reinforcing its commitment to its nuclear program