ON FOX FIRST: New Republican Senator Jim Banks of Indiana What Democrats are hearing about what he said is efforts to delay confirmation hearings for Trump nominees, especially that of Defense Department pick Pete Hegseth.
Banks called on Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker, R-Miss., to go further Hegseth’s scheduled confirmation hearing on January 14 as planned and will not be influenced by the Democrats’ requests.
“As you know, senators who will oppose the Hegseth nomination no matter what are trying to delay and deny President Trump his opportunity. Minister of Defense quickly confirmed. If they succeed, it will damage America’s national security during the crucial transition of power later this month,” he wrote to Wicker on Wednesday.
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Sen. Jim Banks said Democrats, including Sen. Richard Blumenthal (R), want to postpone Pete Hegseth’s hearing. (Reuters)
The Republican’s letter comes after fellow committee member Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., sent his own correspondence to Wicker, arguing that the committee needs more information and documentation from the nominee to properly consider him.
“I am deeply concerned that the Senate Armed Services Committee is considering the nomination of Pete Hegseth to this critically important position without full information about his ability and experience to lead our military and manage a nearly $850 billion budget,” Blumenthal said, referring to accusations. that Hegseth mismanaged finances while leading a nonprofit organization for veterans.
The Connecticut Democrat added: “I do not see how this committee can in good conscience consider Mr. Hegseth’s nomination without a full review of his conduct while leading these organizations – the only civilian management experience of his career. “
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Blumenthal said he requested additional documents from Hegseth, “including credit card transactions and other uses of funds.”
Additionally, the Democrat alleged that Hegseth “is refusing to make himself available to meet with me and my Democratic colleagues prior to his nomination hearing.”
However, a source familiar told Fox News Digital that Hegseth had contacted Democrats in early to mid-December for a meeting. The only Democrat willing to do so was Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., who sat down with him last month.
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The others, the source said, waited until days before the scheduled Jan. 14 hearing to respond. As is the case for these types of nominees, Hegseth will make preparations in the days leading up to the hearing.
In his letter to Wicker, Banks denounced Blumenthal’s request. “Senator Blumenthal’s letter to you and the rest of the committee is the latest effort to achieve their goal. In his letter, he makes unsubstantiated and anonymous accusations against Mr. Hegseth about his time leading two organizations that advocated for America’s veterans. “Senator Blumenthal’s letter intentionally omits the fact that veterans who have worked professionally with Mr. Hegseth support his nomination,” he wrote.
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Senator Jim Banks said he fully supports Pete Hegseth. (Getty Images)
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The Republican acknowledged that Blumenthal has the right to question Hegseth in court and ultimately oppose his nomination. But “He has no right to delay the Armed Services Committee’s important work for the national security of the United States,” Banks said.
Wicker did not immediately comment to Fox News Digital.
