Pete Hegseth has received another important vote for confirmation President-elect Trump‘s Minister of Defense.
Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., said Friday he will vote to confirm Hegseth, an Army veteran whose nomination was questioned over his comments questioning the role of women in the military, allegations of sexual misconduct and accusations that he drank alcohol while working at his previous job.
Hegseth appeared before the Senate Armed Services Committee relatively unscathed this week amid questions from lawmakers.
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President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth testifies during his Senate Armed Services hearing on Capitol Hill on January 14 in Washington, D.C. ((Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images))
“The President’s choice of Secretary of Defense, Mr. Hegseth, has impressive academic credentials, conducted himself very well during the Senate Armed Services hearing, and has a commendable record in uniform. He assured me that he will surround himself with strong support. team,” Cassidy said in a statement. “I will vote for his confirmation.”
Hegseth has seen an outpouring of support from Republicans, including Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa, who previously expressed concerns about his nomination.
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U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, R-La., attends a press conference at the U.S. Capitol on August 5, 2022 in Washington, D.C. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Sen. Tommy TubervilleR-Ala., said Hegseth passed his confirmation hearing with flying colors.
“They tried to upset him. They put out all these anonymous accusations. He had an answer to every one of them,” Tuberville said at the time.
During his proceedings, protesters were dragged out with zip ties after interrupting the hearing.
Democratic lawmakers also questioned Hegseth about his stance on women combat rolesprompting him to push back that his argument regarding women serving in the military focuses on military norms not eroding.
Representative Michael Waltz (R-FL) (L) introduces U.S. President Donald Trump’s nominee for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during his Senate Armed Services hearing on Capitol Hill on January 14 in Washington, D.C. (Getty Images)
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“I would like to point out that I have never disparaged women who served in the military,” he told Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y. “I respect every female military member who has put on the uniform, past and present. My criticisms, Senator, recently and in the past, and from personal experience, have been examples where I have seen standards lowered.”
