Pete Hegseth faced tough questions during his confirmation hearing for Defense Secretary, highlighting concerns over his past comments and qualifications.
Republicans are all for him, saying he’s just the kind of leader they need. But Democrats are raising eyebrows over his past comments about women and Black troops, plus some serious allegations about his behavior. They think he might not be the right fit for the job.
Hegseth claims he wants to bring back a “warrior culture” to the military, focusing on combat readiness and merit. He’s not a fan of what he calls “woke” culture in the armed forces. But Democrats are pushing back, arguing that diversity actually makes the military stronger.
He also tried to smooth things over with women and Black troops, saying he’d be honored to serve them. But he hinted that standards might have been lowered for women, which didn’t sit well with some senators. They challenged him on that, saying the standards are based on ability, not gender.
When it came to the allegations against him, Hegseth didn’t hold back. He called it a “coordinated smear campaign” and insisted he’s been cleared of any wrongdoing. He’s got a lot to prove if he wants to win over those skeptics in the Senate.
