President Donald Trump expressed his surprise after two Republican senators broke ranks to vote against advancing the nomination of Pete Hegseth, his pick for defense secretary. The Senate vote on Thursday saw Hegseth’s nomination move forward by a narrow 51-49 margin, revealing unexpected opposition from within the Republican party.
Senators Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine were the two Republicans who voted against cloture, effectively opposing further consideration of Hegseth’s nomination at this stage. Their “no” votes stemmed from serious concerns regarding Hegseth’s background, specifically citing past allegations of infidelity, sexual assault, and excessive drinking. These concerns cast a shadow over Hegseth’s suitability for such a high-profile and sensitive position within the administration.
Trump, before departing for North Carolina, addressed the dissenting votes, stating, “I was very surprised that Collins and Murkowski would do that.” He continued to defend Hegseth, saying, “Look, whatever it is. He’s a good man. I don’t know what’s going to happen — you never know in those things. But, Pete’s a very, very good man. I hope he makes it; I hope he makes it.” Despite the President’s continued support, the Republican senators’ opposition signals a potential hurdle in Hegseth’s confirmation process.
On the other side of the aisle, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer strongly urged his colleagues to vote against Hegseth’s confirmation. Schumer criticized the Republican party for advancing the nomination, stating on the Senate floor, “Yesterday, 51 Republican senators voted to advance one of the most erratic, unqualified and unfit Cabinet nominees we have ever seen in modern times.” He appealed to Republican senators to reconsider, emphasizing “the risks to the American people, and particularly to the men and women in our armed forces of confirming somebody like Mr. Hegseth.”
The opposition to Hegseth extends beyond just the two Republican senators. Concerns have been raised regarding controversial remarks he has reportedly made about women in the military. Furthermore, allegations of sexual assault dating back to a 2017 incident in California have surfaced. While police investigated these claims, no charges were filed. Adding to the controversy, Hegseth has also faced accusations of excessive drinking and financial mismanagement, painting a picture of a nominee with a baggage of serious allegations.
Reports from the Associated Press further detailed the accusations, stating that Hegseth reportedly paid $50,000 to a woman who accused him of sexual assault in 2017. These accumulating controversies raise significant questions about Pete Hegseth’s judgment and character, ultimately leading some Republicans to vote “no” on his nomination, creating uncertainty around his path to confirmation.
