WASHINGTON — The Senate advanced the nomination of Pete Hegseth as President Donald Trump's defense secretary Thursday on a largely party-line vote, despite grave objections from Democrats and stirring unease among Republicans over his behavior and qualifications to lead the U.S. military. Two Republicans, Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, voted against advancing Hegseth's nomination.
The preliminary vote came shortly before news broke that he paid $50,000 to the woman who accused him of sexual assault in 2017, according to answers he provided to Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., during his confirmation process that The Associated Press has obtained.
What You Need To Know
- The Senate has advanced the nomination of Pete Hegseth as President Donald Trump’s defense secretary. Thursday's vote pushed Hegseth toward confirmation, despite grave objections from Democrats and stirring unease among Republicans over his behavior and qualifications to lead the U.S. military
- Two Republicans, Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, broke ranks to oppose Hegseth
- The preliminary vote came shortly before news broke that he paid $50,000 to the woman who accused him of sexual assault in 2017, according to answers he provided to Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., during his confirmation process that The Associated Press has obtained
- The former combat veteran and Fox News host faces allegations of excessive drinking and aggressive actions toward women, which he has denied
- A final confirmation vote is expected Friday
The answers were provided to Warren in response to additional questions she had for Hegseth as part of the vetting process.
His attorney, Timothy Parlatore, declined to comment Thursday on the dollar figure, which was previously unknown. In November, Parlatore confirmed that the settlement payment had been made, and Hegseth told senators during his confirmation hearing last week that he was “falsely accused” and completely cleared.
The $50,000 payment was made years after the woman told police that Hegseth sexually assaulted her in a California hotel room in 2017 after he took her phone, blocked the door and refused to let her leave, according to an investigative report released in November.
Hegseth told police at the time that the encounter had been consensual and denied any wrongdoing. The report does not say that police found the allegations to be false. They instead recommended the case report be forwarded to the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office for review. That office declined to file charges in January 2018 because it didn’t have “proof beyond a reasonable doubt,” according to District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni.
On Thursday, Murkowski and Collins broke ranks with Trump and his allies who have mounted an extensive public campaign to push Hegseth toward confirmation. The former combat veteran and Fox News host faces allegations of excessive drinking, sexual assault and spousal abuse, which he has denied. The vote was 51-49, with a final vote on confirmation expected Friday.
Murkowski and Collins were the first Republicans to oppose one of Trump’s Cabinet picks.
"The leader of the Department of Defense must demonstrate and model the standards of behavior and character we expect of all servicemembers, and Mr. Hegseth’s nomination to the role poses significant concerns that I cannot overlook," Murkowski wrote in a lengthy statement on social media. "Given the global security environment we’re operating in, it is critical that we confirm a Secretary of Defense, however, I regret that I am unable to support Mr. Hegseth."
Murkowski pointed to Hegseth's previous opposition to women serving in combat roles, allegations of financial mismanagement and a toxic workplace culture at two veterans organizations he ran, the "allegations of of sexual assault and excessive drinking" — which Hegseth denies — and "the past behaviors Mr. Hegseth has admitted to," including infidelity.
Those admitted behaviors "demonstrate a lack of judgment that is unbecoming of someone who would lead our armed forces," Murkowski wrote. "These behaviors starkly contrast the values and discipline expected of servicemembers. Men and women in uniform are held accountable for such actions, and they deserve leaders who uphold these same standards."
Collins shared a similar statement, express concerns that Hegseth "does not have the management experience and background that he will need in order to tackle these difficulties." She cited his views on women in the military, his experience running the nonprofits and his apparent lack of "a sufficient appreciation for some of the policies that the military is required to follow because they are codified in the laws of the United States of America."
"While I understand his points on the importance of up-to-date and workable rules of engagement, our prohibitions against torture come from American laws and treaties ratified by the United States, including the Geneva Conventions," Collins said, referring to Hegseth's comments at a hearing earlier this month in which he appeared to defend torture and endorse waterboarding.
Rarely has a Cabinet choice encountered such swirling allegations of wrongdoing. Trump is standing by Hegseth, and the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee has dismissed the claims as factually inaccurate.
“I am ironclad in my assessment that the nominee, Mr. Hegseth, is prepared to be the next secretary of defense,” the chairman, Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., said in a statement on the eve of the test vote. "The Senate needs to confirm this nominee as fast as possible.”
A new president's national security nominees are often the first to be lined up for confirmation, to ensure U.S. safety at home and abroad. Already the Senate has confirmed Marco Rubio as secretary of state in a unanimous vote, and it confirmed John Ratcliffe as CIA director on Thursday by wide margins.
A new claim against Hegseth emerged this week in an affidavit from a former sister-in-law who claimed Hegseth was abusive to his second wife to the point that she feared for her safety. Hegseth has denied the allegation. In divorce proceedings, neither Hegseth nor the woman claimed to be a victim of domestic abuse.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said Thursday that Hegseth is unqualified for the job because of his personal behavior and his lack of experience.
“One of the kindest words that might be used to describe Mr. Hegseth is erratic, and that’s a term you don’t want at DOD,” Schumer said. “He has a clear problem of judgment.”
A Princeton and Harvard-educated former combat veteran, Hegseth went on to make a career at Fox News, where he hosted a weekend show. Trump tapped him as the defense secretary to lead an organization with nearly 2.1 million service members, about 780,000 civilians and a budget of $850 billion.
Hegseth has promised not to drink on the job if confirmed.
During a fiery confirmation hearing, Hegseth swatted away allegations of wrongdoing one by one — dismissing them as “smears” — as he displayed his military credentials and vowed to bring “warrior culture" to the top Pentagon post.
Wicker said he had been briefed a third time on the FBI background investigation into Hegseth. He said "the allegations unfairly impugning his character do not pass scrutiny.”