Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald J. Trump’s selection for protection secretary, will face a stream of questions on Tuesday from members of a Senate committee that’s contemplating his anticipated nomination.
It could possibly be a contentious listening to. Mr. Hegseth has confronted scrutiny due to accusations of extreme consuming and an allegation of sexual assault.
He has additionally confronted criticism for feedback about limiting the function of ladies within the navy.
Here’s what to observe for because the Senate Armed Providers Committee listening to will get underway:
Questions associated to his alcohol use
Mr. Hegseth will virtually certainly be requested about his alcohol use. The New York Occasions and different information media organizations have documented a historical past of extreme consuming, together with some episodes that Mr. Hegseth himself has described. He has vowed that if he’s confirmed, there “won’t be a drop of alcohol on my lips.” Will that be enough for the senators on the committee?
Sexual assault allegation
How will Mr. Hegseth deal with considerations a few 2017 police investigation into whether or not he raped a lady after a talking occasion in Monterey, Calif.? He has mentioned that the sexual encounter was consensual and that he agreed to pay the girl a secret monetary settlement solely to guard his job. No legal charges have been filed.
Managerial expertise
Different protection secretaries in current historical past have had vastly larger managerial expertise than Mr. Hegseth, a former “Fox & Friends” weekend anchor. His successive tenures as head of two small veterans teams from 2008 to 2016 ended with each in monetary hassle. How will he reply questions on his potential to guide the Pentagon, an $849 billion enterprise with practically three million staff?
Views on range
Mr. Hegseth has complained about “woke” generals who he mentioned left the navy “effeminate” by supporting range insurance policies that have been pushing away “America’s white sons and daughters.”
Ladies in fight
Mr. Hegseth has additionally mentioned that “we should not have women in combat roles.” He now says that girls can serve in the event that they meet the precise customary. What’s going to he say about whether or not he would flip again the clock within the navy?
Worldwide insurance policies, together with the struggle in Ukraine
Lawmakers are additionally prone to ask Mr. Hegseth about main worldwide coverage points. He has voiced skepticism about persevering with to offer navy help to Ukraine. Is that also his view?
Given Iran’s weakened state, ought to the USA, maybe appearing with Israel, perform navy strikes towards Iran’s nuclear program?
What extra steps does the U.S. navy must take to counter the rising navy risk from China?
