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WASHINGTON — Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Westville) accused senators of working while drinking during defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth’s confirmation hearing in front of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Mullin, who has positioned himself as a weapon in President-elect Donald Trump’s Congressional arsenal, defended Hegseth during the contentious hearing which was the first of 14 this week.
Contentious Allegations: Senators Grill Hegseth on Drinking, Infidelity, and Misconduct in Heated Confirmation Hearing
“Senator (Tim) Kaine or I guess I better use the Senator from Virginia, starts bringing up the fact that ‘what if you showed up drunk for your job?’ How many senators have showed up drunk to vote at night?” Mullin said. “How many Senators do you know have got a divorce for cheating on their wives?”
While meeting with senators on Capitol Hill, it was reported that Hegseth had a drinking problem. The Washington Post reported that colleagues had seen him drunk at work during his time at Fox News.
In light of the allegations, Hegseth promised senators he would quit drinking if confirmed as defense secretary.
During the hearing, Hegseth faced criticism over sexual misconduct, his qualifications, comments on women in the military and commitments to military alliances.
Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Virginia) questioned Hegseth for his infidelity, particularly his relationship with his now-wife Jennifer Rauchet. In 2017, while married to his second wife, Samantha Deering, Hegseth had a child with Rauchet who was a Fox News Executive Producer.
That same year, Hegseth allegedly sexually assaulted a woman. Hegseth later paid the woman not to file a complaint. Hegseth has maintained the encounter was consensual.
Kaine went on to ask Hegseth if someone with sexual assault allegations should be disqualified from becoming defense secretary.
Hegseth declined to answer the question directly.
“Senator, I know in my instance, and I’m talking about my instance only, it was a false claim,” Hegseth said.
Questions of Competence: Senators Challenge Hegseth’s Leadership and Financial Track Record in Nonprofit Roles
Pete Hegseth was also hammered for his qualifications and business mismanagement allegations. From 2008 to 2016 Hegseth led two small nonprofits, both of which faced financial issues. From 2008 to 2010 revenues at Veterans for Freedom, which Hegseth led, decreased from $8.7 million to $265,000 the Wall Street Journal reported. Tax filings from his time at Concerned Veterans for America show that the company spent more than it raised in three of five years under his leadership.
“By the time you left, that organization (Concerned Veterans for America) had deep debts,” Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut) said. “That isn’t the kind of fiscal management we want at the Department of Defense, we can’t tolerate it at the Department of Defense.”
Hegseth was further questioned on the amount of people he’s had under his leadership and experience driving innovation and acquisition reform.
“I don’t think there’s a board of directors in America that would hire you as a CEO with the kind of experience you have on your resume,” Sen. Gary Peters (D-Michigan) said.
“You talk about standards, you talk about we have a problem of standards in DOD and we have to raise standards for the men and women who serve, do you think the way to raise the minimum standards of the people who serve us is to lower the standards for the Secretary of Defense?” he asked.
After Peters bluntly stated his opposition to Hegseth’s confirmation, Mullin raced to his defense once again.
“There’s a lot about qualifications. I think it’s so hypocritical of senators, especially on the other side of the aisle, to be talking about his qualifications,” Mullin said in defense of Hegseth.
Revised Stance: Hegseth Supports Women in Combat Roles with High Standards Maintained
When asked about women in combat roles by Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) – Ernst served in the Iraq War as a member of the Iowa Army National Guard – Hegseth walked back previous comments against the practice.
“Yes, women will have access to ground combat roles given the standards remain high,” Hegseth said.
Mullin stated before this week’s hearings that he would support all of Trump’s nominees, and has been especially vocal about supporting Hegseth. According to Mullin, Hegseth’s experience in uniform coupled with his business experience will, “bring a fresh, mission-focused perspective to the Pentagon.”
Additionally, Mullin posited before the hearing that these attacks on Hegseth’s character were coming from the media and were not especially helpful in the “advise and consent” duty of the Senate. “His nomination will be vetted in a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, not in the media.”
Confirmation Prospects: Hegseth Gains GOP Support as Other Trump Nominees Face Uncertainty
Pete Hegseth was the first of Trump’s nominees to face a confirmation hearing. By the end of his hearing, there were no clear signs of potential Republican defectors.
Ernst, one of Hegseth’s main Republican detractors prior to the hearing, released a statement after the hearing which said she will support Hegseth in the forthcoming committee and floor vote on his nomination.
Tulsi Gabbard, nominated for Director of National Intelligence, may face more difficulties as Sen. John Curtis (R-Utah) casts doubt on her confirmation at a POLITICO Live event.
The Senate has not scheduled Gabbard’s confirmation hearing.
Gaylord News is a reporting project of the University of Oklahoma Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication. For more stories by Gaylord News go to GaylordNews.net.