Senate committee schedules confirmation hearing for Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense

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Pete Hegseth, a host on Fox News, has been tapped by president-elect Donald Trump to lead the Department of Defense. Photo: Gage Skidmore

Monday, January 6, 2025

Indianz.Com

The Senate Committee on Armed Forces has scheduled a January 14 confirmation hearing for Pete Hegseth to serve as as Secretary of Defense.

Hegseth is a veteran of the U.S. Army and a political commentator for Fox News. Despite his lack of experience in running a large operation, president-elect Donald Trump wants him to lead the Department of Defense, the federal agency that oversees the U.S. military and manages more than 2.8 million active duty, reserve and civilian employees.

“With Pete at the helm, America’s enemies are on notice – Our Military will be Great Again, and America will Never Back Down,” Trump said in a November 12 announcement.

Apart from his background, Hegseth has been among the most controversial of Trump’s nominees. He has denied reports of sexual harassment and other misconduct in the workplace and refuted allegations of sexual assault.

Amid the controversy, Hegseth chronicled a slew of meetings with members of the U.S. Senate in December 2024. In a series of posts on social media, he thanked lawmakers for their “counsel” and thanked some of them for agreeing to support him in the confirmation process.

We appreciate your support, Senator! https://t.co/i22UyKbmZz
— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) December 19, 2024

Republicans are the majority party the Senate in the 119th Congress, which officially began on January 3. They control the chamber and all of the committees.

Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi) announced he will be serving as chair of Armed Services. He has served on the committee since January 2008.

“These committee assignments, combined with the new Republican majority, will give me the opportunity to continue representing Mississippi in the most effective way possible,” Senator Wicker said in a January 3 news release.

Hegseth’s confirmation hearing is scheduled to take place at 9:30am on January 14 in Room G50 of the Senate Dirksen Office Building in Washington, D.C. Additional details have not yet been posted online as of Monday afternoon.

Following the hearing, Wicker’s committee would be able to schedule business meeting to consider Hegseth’s nomination. Assuming favorable action, the full Senate would then vote. Republicans control 52 out of 100 seats in the chamber.

Trump will be sworn in as the 47th president of the United States on January 20.