Unexpected Moves and Apologies: Key Points to Observe at Hegseth's Hearing
The way Trump's Pentagon nominee is handled may influence the success of subsequent nominees.
TroibNews 
Senate Democrats are gearing up for a confrontation with Pete Hegseth as he prepares to present his case on Capitol Hill for why he should be appointed to lead one of the world’s largest employers, despite his controversial background and lack of Pentagon experience.
Hegseth will require unanimous support from Republicans on the Senate Armed Services Committee, some of whom have expressed concerns about his past. The individual chosen by Donald Trump for Defense Secretary is facing scrutiny over allegations of sexual assault, issues with alcohol, and doubts regarding his ability to manage a vast bureaucracy.
Senators are expected to question Hegseth on his views about women in combat and his previous leadership roles in veterans' organizations. While Democrats alone cannot derail his nomination, Sen. Joni Ernst, a combat veteran and survivor of sexual assault, holds significant influence and could potentially challenge his candidacy.
The scrutiny faced by Hegseth — the most prominent among Trump’s nominees to confront the Senate — will likely set a precedent for how forthcoming nominees will be treated. This includes the extent to which Democrats will challenge their nominations and whether Republicans will rally to their defense or allow them to be pressed.
Here are key elements and strategies to observe during Hegseth’s confirmation hearing.
1. **Attack or Retract?**
Pay attention to any expressions of remorse from Hegseth regarding his past. Although he has denied the assault allegations and was never charged, he has stated he would refrain from drinking alcohol if confirmed and has claimed personal growth through family and faith — a narrative he may emphasize during the hearing.
“I'm a different man than I was years ago, and that's a redemption story that I think a lot of Americans appreciate,” he recently told reporters.
Hegseth has also drawn attention for revising his previously controversial views on women in combat and the ability of gay individuals to serve openly in the military. He may adopt a more moderate stance in response to challenging questions about other past comments from his time as an author and conservative media personality.
However, with Trump reportedly monitoring the proceedings, Hegseth might choose to adopt a combative approach, seeking to align himself with the president-elect, who appreciates impassioned exchanges.
2. **Democrats vs. Procedure**
Although Democrats lack the votes to prevent Hegseth’s nomination independently, anticipate them to voice skepticism about the process leading to Tuesday’s hearing.
They contend they have not received adequate information about Hegseth, as only the Senate Armed Services leaders have access to his FBI background check. The lack of meetings he held with many Democrats prior to the hearing has also drawn their ire.
Armed Services ranking member Sen. Jack Reed has indicated that Sen. Wicker will decide whether the FBI report will be shared with the rest of the senators.
“That decision has to be made by the chair, and we have done it on two occasions that I can think of,” Reed noted. “So, we have a precedent.”
Notable past cases include John Tower, a Republican senator from Texas, who faced a difficult confirmation process for the position of Defense Secretary under George W. Bush in 1989 amid allegations of excessive drinking. Another case was Anthony Tata, a retired brigadier general nominated for a top DOD position before his confirmation collapsed due to Democratic opposition.
For many Democrats, this session will mark their first interaction with Hegseth, and they are likely to express their opinions. So far, Reed is the only Democrat on the committee to have met with Hegseth.
“How do I vote on a guy I haven't met with and do my job?” Sen. Tammy Duckworth remarked. “This is one of the most bipartisan committees in the Senate so it’s very unusual that a SecDef nominee would refuse to meet with members of one party.”
3. **Focus on Ernst**
Sen. Ernst emerges as a crucial factor for Hegseth’s nomination. Her vote is perceived as essential, making her a significant wildcard.
The combat veteran and sexual assault advocate has not yet disclosed whether she supports Hegseth. Her questioning and his responses will be closely watched by both sides.
With Republicans holding only a one-vote majority on the Armed Services Committee, Ernst’s decision carries weight, and the Trump transition team is aware of this. Hegseth has previously met with Ernst twice on Capitol Hill, committing to appoint a senior official dedicated to addressing military sexual assault. Conversely, Ernst has described Hegseth as “very supportive of women in the military.”
While she initially expressed hesitance about Hegseth, her stance appears to be shifting toward support. Her indecision has sparked backlash from Trump allies and on social media, with pressure mounting as she approaches a reelection campaign in 2026.
4. **Challenging the MAGA Agenda**
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer has urged members to hold Trump’s nominees accountable for his agenda. This may lead to rigorous questioning for Hegseth regarding Trump's stance on military power and actions perceived to politicize the armed forces.
Democrats will likely coordinate their questions to avoid redundancy. Expect inquiries into Hegseth’s plans should Trump advocate for military action against what the president-elect terms “the enemy from within” the U.S. or for mass deportations of undocumented immigrants.
Topics surrounding Trump’s recent comments about Canada, Greenland, and the Panama Canal may also arise, especially regarding his reluctance to dismiss the use of military force to seize these territories.
5. **On-Camera Skills**
With his background in media, Hegseth may appear poised and polished during questioning, potentially outshining some Democratic Senators. Republicans are banking on his experience as a decorated veteran to bolster his credibility.
Nevertheless, senators will likely assess whether he is capable of addressing fundamental national defense issues. These might include the appropriate size of the defense budget and strategies for managing hotspots across the Pacific, Middle East, and Ukraine. Hegseth has yet to publicly engage with these practical job aspects; any lack of preparedness could be telling.
Republicans, who have prepared Hegseth for likely questions, want him to come across as “comfortable and forthright,” said Sen. Mike Rounds.
“He's been on TV, he's been in front of an audience before,” Rounds stated. “I think he'll do just fine. I really do.”
Navid Kalantari contributed to this report for TROIB News
Hegseth will require unanimous support from Republicans on the Senate Armed Services Committee, some of whom have expressed concerns about his past. The individual chosen by Donald Trump for Defense Secretary is facing scrutiny over allegations of sexual assault, issues with alcohol, and doubts regarding his ability to manage a vast bureaucracy.
Senators are expected to question Hegseth on his views about women in combat and his previous leadership roles in veterans' organizations. While Democrats alone cannot derail his nomination, Sen. Joni Ernst, a combat veteran and survivor of sexual assault, holds significant influence and could potentially challenge his candidacy.
The scrutiny faced by Hegseth — the most prominent among Trump’s nominees to confront the Senate — will likely set a precedent for how forthcoming nominees will be treated. This includes the extent to which Democrats will challenge their nominations and whether Republicans will rally to their defense or allow them to be pressed.
Here are key elements and strategies to observe during Hegseth’s confirmation hearing.
1. **Attack or Retract?**
Pay attention to any expressions of remorse from Hegseth regarding his past. Although he has denied the assault allegations and was never charged, he has stated he would refrain from drinking alcohol if confirmed and has claimed personal growth through family and faith — a narrative he may emphasize during the hearing.
“I'm a different man than I was years ago, and that's a redemption story that I think a lot of Americans appreciate,” he recently told reporters.
Hegseth has also drawn attention for revising his previously controversial views on women in combat and the ability of gay individuals to serve openly in the military. He may adopt a more moderate stance in response to challenging questions about other past comments from his time as an author and conservative media personality.
However, with Trump reportedly monitoring the proceedings, Hegseth might choose to adopt a combative approach, seeking to align himself with the president-elect, who appreciates impassioned exchanges.
2. **Democrats vs. Procedure**
Although Democrats lack the votes to prevent Hegseth’s nomination independently, anticipate them to voice skepticism about the process leading to Tuesday’s hearing.
They contend they have not received adequate information about Hegseth, as only the Senate Armed Services leaders have access to his FBI background check. The lack of meetings he held with many Democrats prior to the hearing has also drawn their ire.
Armed Services ranking member Sen. Jack Reed has indicated that Sen. Wicker will decide whether the FBI report will be shared with the rest of the senators.
“That decision has to be made by the chair, and we have done it on two occasions that I can think of,” Reed noted. “So, we have a precedent.”
Notable past cases include John Tower, a Republican senator from Texas, who faced a difficult confirmation process for the position of Defense Secretary under George W. Bush in 1989 amid allegations of excessive drinking. Another case was Anthony Tata, a retired brigadier general nominated for a top DOD position before his confirmation collapsed due to Democratic opposition.
For many Democrats, this session will mark their first interaction with Hegseth, and they are likely to express their opinions. So far, Reed is the only Democrat on the committee to have met with Hegseth.
“How do I vote on a guy I haven't met with and do my job?” Sen. Tammy Duckworth remarked. “This is one of the most bipartisan committees in the Senate so it’s very unusual that a SecDef nominee would refuse to meet with members of one party.”
3. **Focus on Ernst**
Sen. Ernst emerges as a crucial factor for Hegseth’s nomination. Her vote is perceived as essential, making her a significant wildcard.
The combat veteran and sexual assault advocate has not yet disclosed whether she supports Hegseth. Her questioning and his responses will be closely watched by both sides.
With Republicans holding only a one-vote majority on the Armed Services Committee, Ernst’s decision carries weight, and the Trump transition team is aware of this. Hegseth has previously met with Ernst twice on Capitol Hill, committing to appoint a senior official dedicated to addressing military sexual assault. Conversely, Ernst has described Hegseth as “very supportive of women in the military.”
While she initially expressed hesitance about Hegseth, her stance appears to be shifting toward support. Her indecision has sparked backlash from Trump allies and on social media, with pressure mounting as she approaches a reelection campaign in 2026.
4. **Challenging the MAGA Agenda**
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer has urged members to hold Trump’s nominees accountable for his agenda. This may lead to rigorous questioning for Hegseth regarding Trump's stance on military power and actions perceived to politicize the armed forces.
Democrats will likely coordinate their questions to avoid redundancy. Expect inquiries into Hegseth’s plans should Trump advocate for military action against what the president-elect terms “the enemy from within” the U.S. or for mass deportations of undocumented immigrants.
Topics surrounding Trump’s recent comments about Canada, Greenland, and the Panama Canal may also arise, especially regarding his reluctance to dismiss the use of military force to seize these territories.
5. **On-Camera Skills**
With his background in media, Hegseth may appear poised and polished during questioning, potentially outshining some Democratic Senators. Republicans are banking on his experience as a decorated veteran to bolster his credibility.
Nevertheless, senators will likely assess whether he is capable of addressing fundamental national defense issues. These might include the appropriate size of the defense budget and strategies for managing hotspots across the Pacific, Middle East, and Ukraine. Hegseth has yet to publicly engage with these practical job aspects; any lack of preparedness could be telling.
Republicans, who have prepared Hegseth for likely questions, want him to come across as “comfortable and forthright,” said Sen. Mike Rounds.
“He's been on TV, he's been in front of an audience before,” Rounds stated. “I think he'll do just fine. I really do.”
Navid Kalantari contributed to this report for TROIB News
