Hegseth dodges questions on using force to take Greenland and Panama Canal
Hirono asked if Hegseth would carry out an order from Trump to seize Greenland by force or to take over the Panama Canal. Hegseth dodged the question and began talking about the 2024 presidential election results.
“I will emphasize that President Trump received 77 million votes to be the lawful commander-in-chief of this country,” Hegseth replied.
“We’re not talking about the election,” Hirono said. “My question is, would you use armed military to take over Greenland or an ally of Denmark?”
“One of the things President Trump is so good at is never strategically tipping his hand,” Hegseth said. “So I would never in this public forum give one way or another direct what orders the President would give to me in any context,” Hegseth said.
Stifled laughter spread through the hearing room as Hirono made sarcastic conclusions from Hegseth's indirect answers.
Hirono raises concerns over alleged sexual assault, excessive drinking
Hirono took issue with Hegseth’s fitness to serve over allegations of sexual assault and excessive drinking in a combative line of questioning.
When asked about a settlement he paid to a woman who accused him of sexual assault in 2017, Hegseth said the allegation was false and that he was “completely cleared” after investigation — a characterization Hirono disagreed with.
“I don’t think ‘completely cleared’ is accurate,” Hirono said. “The fact is that your own lawyer said that you entered an NDA, paid a person who accused you of raping her a sum of money, to make sure that she did not file a complaint.”
Hirono then shifted her questions to reports of Hegseth being intoxicated at work, which Hegseth denied. He reiterated his promise to stop drinking if he is confirmed as secretary of defense but did not answer clearly whether or not he would resign from the role if he were caught consuming alcohol on the job.
Hirono is the first to question Hegseth on sexual assault
Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, is the 10th senator to ask questions, and she’s the first to ask about the sexual assault allegation against Hegseth — doing so in the form of a stock question she asks all nominees.
She ends the exchange by saying, “Moving on." If that's the end of Hirono’s prodding on sexual assault allegation, that’s not exactly a deep dive.
Ernst's questions indicate more support for Hegseth than she has in the past
Ernst, long seen as a pivotal GOP vote on Hegseth, opens her questioning by introducing a letter defending him, and asking him about Pentagon audit policy. If she’s planning to oppose Hegseth, she’s sure hiding it well.
Ernst, seen as a pivotal vote, questions Hegseth
Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, is now questioning Hegseth.
Ernst, a survivor of sexual assault and a member of the Armed Services Committee, has been noncommittal about whether she'd vote to confirm Hegseth, though she has said she will "support" him "through this process."
Ernst has raised questions about a sexual assault allegation made against Hegseth in 2017 (Hegseth has denied any wrongdoing). She has faced pressure from Trump allies to back him.
How she votes could go a long way in determining whether he is confirmed.
She asked him directly, "As secretary of defense, will you support women continuing to have the opportunity to serve in combat roles?"
Hegseth responded, "My answer is yes."
"Yes, women will have access to ground combat roles, combat roles, given the standards remain high, and we’ll have a review to ensure the standards have not been eroded in any one of these cases."
Blumenthal questions Hegseth about 'financial mismanagement' under his leadership at veterans organizations
Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., asked Hegseth about "financial mismanagement" at the two veterans organizations he led: Vets for Freedom and Concerned Veterans for America.
Blumenthal said that Hegseth took over Vets for Freedom in 2007 and in 2008, it raised $8.7 million but spent more than $9 million "creating a deficit by January 2009."
"You told donors that the organization had less than $1,000 in the bank and debts of $434,000. By 2010, revenue at the Veterans for Freedom had dropped to about $265,000," Blumenthal said. "In the next year, it had dropped further to $22,000. You don't dispute these numbers, do you?"
Hegseth said that he was proud to work with fellow veterans who were young and with no political experience.
"We have letters submitted for the record from almost everyone that worked with me every single day, including our chief operating officer, who will attest that every dollar we raised was used intentionally toward the execution of our mission, which is supporting the warfighters," Hegseth said.
Blumenthal then asked Hegseth about the number of service members in each branch of the military.
"Those numbers dwarf any experience you had by many multiples. I don't believe that you can tell this committee or the people of America that you are qualified to lead them," the senator said. "I would support you as the spokesperson for the Pentagon. I don't dispute your communication skills."
Asked if he's willing to submit to further FBI background checks, Hegseth repeatedly said that he's not in charge of FBI background checks.
Gillibrand and Hegseth spar over his past comments on women and diversity
Striking a confrontational tone in her line of questioning, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., said she has "many concerns" about Hegseth's record and public statements. Gillibrand noted she is compelled to press the Cabinet nominee on issues of equality because his past comments have been "so hurtful" to current military service members.
"You will have to change how you see women to do this job well, and I don't know if you are capable of that," Gillibrand said, pointing to Hegseth's public statement that he does not believe women should serve in combat roles.
Hegseth has "denigrated" and "degraded" active duty service members, hundreds of whom are women and members of the LGBTQ community, Gillibrand said.
Holding up a printed copy of physical requirements for military infantry service members, Gillibrand said they are "gender neutral" and "very difficult to meet," noting with a raised voice they "have not been reduced in any way" to accommodate women.
Gillibrand also noted she was displeased by Hegseth's failure to meet with her before the confirmation hearing.
Gillibrand has a long history of advocating for gender equality across military branches and has championed sexual assault prevention efforts in the armed services.
Asked to respond to protesters, Hegseth discusses support for Israel
Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., has asked Hegseth to respond directly to the three protesters who interrupted his opening statement.
Cotton pointed out that the first protester had yelled that Hegseth was a “Christian Zionist.”
Asked by Cotton, “Do you consider yourself a Christian Zionist?” Hegseth replied, “I’m a Christian, and I robustly support the state of Israel and its existential defense.”
Hegseth added, after being asked to respond to a second protester's remarks, that “I support Israel destroying every last member of Hamas.”
Protesters arrested, charged with misdemeanor
Three people were arrested and charged with crowding, obstructing or incommoding, according to U.S. Capitol Police. Earlier in the hearing, protesters who interrupted Hegseth’s opening statement were removed by officers.
Hegseth and Shaheen spar over his past comments about women in combat roles
Shaheen asked Hegseth about past comments he has made suggesting women should not serve in combat roles.
"Senator, I would like to clarify when I'm talking about that issue, it's not about the capabilities of men and women. It's about standards," he said, saying that over time, they've seen an erosion of "certain duty positions, certain schools, certain places, which affects readiness, which is what I care about the most, readiness."
Hegseth said, "I would say I would be honored to have the opportunity to serve alongside you, shoulder to shoulder, men and women, black, white, all backgrounds with a shared purpose. Our differences are not what define us. Our unity and our shared purpose is what define us. And you will be treated fairly with dignity, honor and respect, just like every man and woman in uniform."
Shaheen shot back, "I appreciate your 11th-hour conversion."