The Pentagon and the Defense Sector: Pete Hegseth, a Defense Secretary, faces a critical test before Trump’s confirmation hearing

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said the post is “arguably the most important position in the entire Cabinet.” He said Hegseth’s background was “deeply troubling,” and he could expect the hearing to be “tough but respectful, candid but fair.”

Hegseth made a point to smooth things over with Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst, an Army combat veteran who serves on the Senate Armed Services panel. Ernst appeared to have remaining concerns after an initial meeting with Hegseth. She later released a statement suggesting that Hegseth shifted his views on womens’ roles in the military. Other GOP senators said Hegseth committed to not touching alcohol if he was confirmed to the post.

There are some Republicans who have said the public hearing will be crucial.

When Trump invited him to attend the Army-Navy game and urged GOP lawmakers to get in line, Hegseth’s prospects improved. In recent weeks, Trump allies targeted wavering Republicans in a pressure campaign including threats to recruit primary challengers to run against anyone who opposed him. Trump supporters said that the information about his past behavior came mostly from anonymous sources.

He has denied an assault allegation and paid a woman in exchange for anonymity, according to his lawyer. Hegseth told Megyn Kelly on her podcast in December he would forgo all alcohol if he is confirmed as defense secretary.

Hegseth’s nomination appeared to be on shaky ground in the weeks after he was nominated. Previous statements regarding women serving in combat and accusations of sexual assault were raised by the Republicans in the Senate. Some news outlets reported the transition was reviewing back up nominees for the post as the questions swirled.

Past staffers at the organization have been accused of drinking on the job, improper conduct with staff and mismanagement. The former colleagues said he acted in a way when he was drinking.

Pete Hegseth, the Army National Guard veteran and former Fox News host, faces a critical test in his public hearing before the Senate Armed Services committee Tuesday to serve as President-elect Donald Trump’s defense secretary.

the defense secretary is a senior member of the cabinet and oversees the US armed forces.

Reply to the Comments on Uyghur Adviser Dr. Mark Hegseth: The U.S. Foreign Policy Connection

Democrats are saying they plan to press Hegseth on a range of issues including his experience to lead a department with 3 million employees, news reports about mismanagement at a non-profit he led, and an incident of alleged sexual misconduct.

Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., told reporters he was reviewing the questionnaire that Hegseth submitted to the panel. I’m interested in hearing what he has to say about his experience in his adult life, as he has prepared him for this position and is one of the hardest jobs on the planet.

Reed met with Hegseth last week and issued a curt statement afterwards: “Today’s meeting did not relieve my concerns about Mr. Hegseth’s lack of qualifications and raised more questions than answers.” None of the Democrats on the panel have met with him.

The job of the secretary of state is to oversee U.S. foreign policy, but Trump has already taken away some of it by appointing special envoys forUkraine, Gaza and Lebanon. He has also named a longtime foreign policy adviser, Richard Grenell, who had been in the running for secretary of state, to serve as envoy for “special missions.” “Ric will work in some of the hottest spots around the World, including Venezuela and North Korea,” Trump said in a posting on his social media platform, Truth Social, announcing the appointment.

The outgoing Biden administration has made it a priority to build up alliances in Asia to counter China’s rise. The secretary of state set up an office called “China House” that draws on experts from the U.S. government to take a look at China. That may be one office that Rubio will want to keep.

Travel to China could be harder because of the sanctions imposed by China. While writing legislation he accused China of running a “grotesque campaign of genocide” towards Uyghur Muslims and banned imports from the region. This human rights advocacy has put him at odds with Trump ally Elon Musk, who opened a Tesla dealership in Xinjiang soon after Rubio’s Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act was signed into law in 2021.

He may face questions about why he did not vote for aid to Ukraine despite his views on the war in Russia. He may also face questions about how his interventionist foreign policy views clash with Trump’s positions.

You might know him from: The Senate and the 2016 Republican presidential primary race, when Trump dubbed him “Little Marco” and Rubio warned voters not to support Trump, saying “friends do not let friends vote for con artists.”

Among President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet picks, secretary of state nominee Marco Rubio may face the easiest confirmation process. He’s been a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for many years and will be questioned by lawmakers Wednesday at 10 a.m.

If confirmed, the Florida Republican would be the first Latino to serve as America’s top diplomat. Born in Florida, the son of Cuban immigrants was first elected senator in 2010 and gained a reputation as a hawkish voice on China, Cuba, Venezuela and Iran.