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Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

Donald Trump Has a Pete Hegseth Problem

By Gage Skidmore: Donald Trump speaking at CPAC 2011 in Washington, D.C.
Donald Trump speaking at CPAC 2011 in Washington, D.C.

Donald Trump has always tended to appoint unconventional people to major government positions, but his nomination of Pete Hegseth to lead the Pentagon is beyond most. 

Hegseth, who has led multiple veterans charities and once ran an unsuccessful political campaign in his native Minnesota, is best known for spending the last several years working for Fox News, as a weekend anchor on Fox and Friends, and for authoring several books. 

There are several reasons why Hegseth’s appointment has been controversial. He has never led a bureaucracy anywhere close to the size of the Department of Defense. He does not have a resume typical of most people who have held the position in recent administrations; of late, most leaders of the Pentagon have been either retired generals (James Mattis, Lloyd Austin), former elected officials (Dick Cheney, Leon Panetta, Chuck Hagel), or veterans of the defense bureaucracy (Ash Carter, Mark Esper.) 

Questions have been raised about Hegseth’s drinking habits, and possible financial mismanagement at Veterans for Freedom and Concerned Veterans for America. The nominee, who is in his 40s, is on his third marriage and has a colorful marital history. He has admitted to extramarital affairs, something that is forbidden in the military. And other controversies have included everything from Hegseth’s tattoos, to his lobbying of Trump to pardon soldiers accused of war crimes, to his admission on television that he does not wash his hands. 

In November, it was reported that Hegseth was accused by a woman of rape at a Republican women’s conference in 2017. No charges were filed, and Hegseth has denied any wrongdoing, although a police report was filed at the time. 

“Trump also thinks he has the look,” CNN quoted one source saying when Hegseth was first nominated. 

Pete Hegseth on Ropes? 

In early December, especially after the rape accusation story came out — and subsequent reports that Hegseth had not told the Trump transition team about the incident — it appeared Hegseth’s nomination was teetering, with reports that Trump was considering alternative nominees such as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Another Trump nominee, Matt Gaetz, withdrew from consideration for attorney general due to allegations of sexual misconduct around that time.

However, Hegseth’s nomination was not withdrawn; the nominee also vowed to give up drinking should he earn confirmation. 

With Hegseth’s confirmation hearings scheduled for today, the question is whether the nomination can get through the Senate. The GOP holds a Senate majority, with 53 seats, meaning defeating the nomination would require some Republican defections. 

Per Axios, Hegseth’s confirmation fight “is becoming a test of will for Republicans.” At issue is the nominee’s FBI background check, about which the leading Senators on the Armed Services committee for each party have been briefed, although other Senators have not been. 

Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS), the committee’s chairman, “privately raised the idea of letting his full committee see Hegseth’s file, but Trump officials are opposed to sharing it,” Axios said. 

Meanwhile, The New Yorker’s Jane Mayer — who broke one of the big Hegseth stories in November — is back with another piece, published Monday night, about “the pressure campaign to get Pete Hegseth confirmed as Defense Secretary.” 

Per the report, Trump’s transition team “has waged an intense, and in many ways unprecedented, behind-the-scenes campaign ahead of the hearing to intimidate and silence potential witnesses, aimed at keeping Republican senators in line and in the dark.” 

“Someone who is inebriated, or self-dealing, or managerially incompetent in this position could put the whole nation at risk,” Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), told The New Yorker. “My Republican colleagues are unsettled… and some genuinely feel scared and intimidated.”

By Gage Skidmore. Donald Trump speaking at CPAC 2011 in Washington, D.C.

By Gage Skidmore. Donald Trump speaking at CPAC 2011 in Washington, D.C.

One source told The New Yorker that one morning in 2023, Hegseth “ordered three gin-and-tonics at a weekday breakfast meeting.” 

The piece makes clear that the Trump team is playing hardball when it comes to Hegseth, including threats to sue the anonymous rape accuser, should Hegseth not gain confirmation. 

“Several potential witnesses, including the accuser, have declined to speak out publicly and have elected not to testify at Tuesday’s hearing,” the report said. Republican PACs, additionally, have put millions of dollars into the fight. 

Per CBS News, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) believes Hegseth has the votes to be confirmed. 

About the Author: Stephen Silver

Stephen Silver is an award-winning journalist, essayist and film critic, and contributor to the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Broad Street Review and Splice Today. The co-founder of the Philadelphia Film Critics Circle, Stephen lives in suburban Philadelphia with his wife and two sons. For over a decade, Stephen has authored thousands of articles that focus on politics, technology, and the economy. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @StephenSilver, and subscribe to his Substack newsletter.

Written By

Stephen Silver is a journalist, essayist, and film critic, who is also a contributor to Philly Voice, Philadelphia Weekly, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Living Life Fearless, Backstage magazine, Broad Street Review, and Splice Today. The co-founder of the Philadelphia Film Critics Circle, Stephen lives in suburban Philadelphia with his wife and two sons. Follow him on Twitter at @StephenSilver.

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