Republican senators unusually request Hegseth's FBI report
The Senate Armed Services Committee typically restricts access to these types of background checks. However, lawmakers are eager to examine this particular one.
TroibNews 
At least a dozen senators are advocating for access to the FBI’s background check on Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump’s controversial nominee for Pentagon chief. This unusual request comes from the committee responsible for overseeing Hegseth’s confirmation and indicates that the former Fox News host continues to face challenges in the Senate.
Typically, the Senate Armed Services Committee restricts access to these background checks to its two lead senators. However, there is increasing pressure from both parties to allow more members to review the ongoing report, which could be pivotal in determining Hegseth’s fate at the Pentagon.
“It would be helpful, given the allegations that have been lodged against Mr. Hegseth, to be able to see the FBI background check,” Sen. Susan Collins, a key swing vote on Hegseth’s nomination, said in an interview.
The demand for access follows serious allegations against Hegseth, including claims of sexual assault, alcohol abuse, and mismanagement at two veterans organizations. Hegseth has denied these allegations, and Trump’s supporters continue to rally behind him, with no Republican senators publicly opposing his nomination.
Senators have different reasons for wanting the report. Some Republicans, like Collins and North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis, argue that the gravity of the allegations justifies broader access to the findings. Although it’s improbable that the FBI results will be publicly disclosed, they could provide Republican senators with the political backing needed to vote against Hegseth or to support him.
“I’ve encouraged all of the nominees, number one, be out front on the FBI background check, and you want that information shared at least with committee members,” said Tillis, a Trump ally.
The FBI’s investigation is expected to thoroughly assess Hegseth’s personal and professional background, including interviews with associates, financial record reviews, and inquiries into any past legal issues.
Hegseth maintains that he has nothing to conceal. “Mr. Hegseth not only welcomes but looks forward to the FBI background check,” stated Hegseth adviser Arthur Schwartz.
The allegations of sexual assault against Hegseth did not lead to criminal charges, and his attorney, Tim Parlatore, recently informed CNN that Hegseth’s accuser had been released from a non-disclosure agreement. While this could allow her to present her perspective on the incident, Parlatore cautioned that it might expose her to a defamation lawsuit.
Hegseth’s background check, initially delayed by Trump’s hesitance to finalize agreements with the FBI, is likely to advance on a fast-tracked timeline. Investigations that typically span weeks may be expedited to conclude before Hegseth’s confirmation hearing, scheduled for January 14.
The tradition of restricted access gives committee Chair Jack Reed from Rhode Island and ranking member Mississippi Sen. Roger Wicker significant authority over the process. Under an arrangement with the White House, these two senators usually review FBI reports on nominees privately and can consult with the administration before deciding whether to share the findings with the wider committee.
Reed is experiencing pressure from at least eight Senate Armed Services Democrats, including Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Tim Kaine, Tammy Duckworth, Mark Kelly, Elizabeth Warren, Jeanne Shaheen, Mazie Hirono, and Kirsten Gillibrand, who have expressed their desire for the report to be shared with all committee members.
“Having more information is a positive thing, even for the Republicans,” Kelly stated. “As you’ve seen, there are some that are struggling with this nomination.”
Reed acknowledged the increasing calls for transparency but did not indicate his stance. “Everybody wants to look at it,” he said. “That’s a decision that has to be made by myself, Sen. Wicker and the White House.”
Kaine noted that if Reed and Wicker were to deviate from convention, they would need to “go back and renegotiate” with the incoming Trump administration.
Blumenthal, one of the most outspoken Democrats regarding this matter, went further, insisting that all senators involved in confirmation hearings should see the findings. “The FBI report ought to be shared with the entire committee, in fact, with the entire Senate before any vote,” he commented.
Republicans are also voicing their opinions. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, a Trump ally, simply stated, “I’m going to see it.”
However, some Senate Armed Services Republicans prefer to adhere to the committee’s established tradition.
“I don’t think we need to make any special exceptions on any of this,” said Sen. Markwayne Mullin. “If we didn’t do it for the Biden administration, we shouldn’t do it for the Trump administration.”
The background check was pivotal in the 1989 confirmation battle over John Tower, George H. W. Bush’s nominee for Defense secretary, where the FBI report revealed a “pattern of alcohol abuse,” ultimately leading to his defeat.
Anna Muller contributed to this report for TROIB News
Typically, the Senate Armed Services Committee restricts access to these background checks to its two lead senators. However, there is increasing pressure from both parties to allow more members to review the ongoing report, which could be pivotal in determining Hegseth’s fate at the Pentagon.
“It would be helpful, given the allegations that have been lodged against Mr. Hegseth, to be able to see the FBI background check,” Sen. Susan Collins, a key swing vote on Hegseth’s nomination, said in an interview.
The demand for access follows serious allegations against Hegseth, including claims of sexual assault, alcohol abuse, and mismanagement at two veterans organizations. Hegseth has denied these allegations, and Trump’s supporters continue to rally behind him, with no Republican senators publicly opposing his nomination.
Senators have different reasons for wanting the report. Some Republicans, like Collins and North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis, argue that the gravity of the allegations justifies broader access to the findings. Although it’s improbable that the FBI results will be publicly disclosed, they could provide Republican senators with the political backing needed to vote against Hegseth or to support him.
“I’ve encouraged all of the nominees, number one, be out front on the FBI background check, and you want that information shared at least with committee members,” said Tillis, a Trump ally.
The FBI’s investigation is expected to thoroughly assess Hegseth’s personal and professional background, including interviews with associates, financial record reviews, and inquiries into any past legal issues.
Hegseth maintains that he has nothing to conceal. “Mr. Hegseth not only welcomes but looks forward to the FBI background check,” stated Hegseth adviser Arthur Schwartz.
The allegations of sexual assault against Hegseth did not lead to criminal charges, and his attorney, Tim Parlatore, recently informed CNN that Hegseth’s accuser had been released from a non-disclosure agreement. While this could allow her to present her perspective on the incident, Parlatore cautioned that it might expose her to a defamation lawsuit.
Hegseth’s background check, initially delayed by Trump’s hesitance to finalize agreements with the FBI, is likely to advance on a fast-tracked timeline. Investigations that typically span weeks may be expedited to conclude before Hegseth’s confirmation hearing, scheduled for January 14.
The tradition of restricted access gives committee Chair Jack Reed from Rhode Island and ranking member Mississippi Sen. Roger Wicker significant authority over the process. Under an arrangement with the White House, these two senators usually review FBI reports on nominees privately and can consult with the administration before deciding whether to share the findings with the wider committee.
Reed is experiencing pressure from at least eight Senate Armed Services Democrats, including Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Tim Kaine, Tammy Duckworth, Mark Kelly, Elizabeth Warren, Jeanne Shaheen, Mazie Hirono, and Kirsten Gillibrand, who have expressed their desire for the report to be shared with all committee members.
“Having more information is a positive thing, even for the Republicans,” Kelly stated. “As you’ve seen, there are some that are struggling with this nomination.”
Reed acknowledged the increasing calls for transparency but did not indicate his stance. “Everybody wants to look at it,” he said. “That’s a decision that has to be made by myself, Sen. Wicker and the White House.”
Kaine noted that if Reed and Wicker were to deviate from convention, they would need to “go back and renegotiate” with the incoming Trump administration.
Blumenthal, one of the most outspoken Democrats regarding this matter, went further, insisting that all senators involved in confirmation hearings should see the findings. “The FBI report ought to be shared with the entire committee, in fact, with the entire Senate before any vote,” he commented.
Republicans are also voicing their opinions. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, a Trump ally, simply stated, “I’m going to see it.”
However, some Senate Armed Services Republicans prefer to adhere to the committee’s established tradition.
“I don’t think we need to make any special exceptions on any of this,” said Sen. Markwayne Mullin. “If we didn’t do it for the Biden administration, we shouldn’t do it for the Trump administration.”
The background check was pivotal in the 1989 confirmation battle over John Tower, George H. W. Bush’s nominee for Defense secretary, where the FBI report revealed a “pattern of alcohol abuse,” ultimately leading to his defeat.
Anna Muller contributed to this report for TROIB News
