Written by Jacob Mitchell.

The confirmation hearings for Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for Secretary of Defense, were anything but dull. Sparks flew when Senator Elizabeth Warren pressed Hegseth on his history, including allegations of sexual misconduct and his controversial views about women in the military.

One particularly tense moment arose when Hegseth retorted, “I’m not a general, Senator,” a quip that drew laughter from the room but underscored the stark divide between the nominee and his critics. This moment encapsulated the broader conflict: Hegseth, a combat veteran and self-styled outsider, against a chorus of skeptical senators intent on scrutinizing his past and his policies.

A Nominee Under Fire

Hegseth’s nomination was met with sharp criticism from Democratic senators who focused on two primary areas: his personal conduct and his stance on women in combat roles.

The personal conduct issue stems from a 2017 allegation of sexual assault. The accuser claimed Hegseth assaulted her, though no charges were filed. When pressed during the hearing, Hegseth dismissed the claim as a “coordinated smear campaign” designed to derail his nomination.

Then there was the matter of Hegseth’s personal life. Senator Tim Kaine confronted him about the consensual encounter, noting that Hegseth was married at the time and had recently fathered a child with another woman. Kaine’s line of questioning wasn’t just about the incident itself but also about the broader issue of judgment and accountability in leadership.

Hegseth’s past remarks about women in the military provided another flashpoint. His critics argued that his comments, which suggested women shouldn’t serve in combat roles, were out of step with modern military values. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand didn’t hold back, accusing him of undermining the contributions of women in the armed forces.

Republican Defense and the Outsider Argument

Despite the intense grilling, Hegseth had his defenders. Republican senators championed his qualifications, framing him as a combat veteran with firsthand experience in military operations. To them, his outsider status wasn’t a liability—it was a strength.

The argument was clear: Hegseth’s time on the battlefield gave him a perspective that career politicians and bureaucrats simply didn’t have. The GOP saw him as someone who could cut through the red tape of Washington and bring a fresh approach to the Department of Defense.

However, critics argued that this outsider narrative glossed over the very real concerns about his leadership style and personal judgment.

Our Take

Hegseth’s confirmation hearing raises important questions about the qualities we should demand from our leaders, particularly in roles as critical as Secretary of Defense. While his military service is commendable, it doesn’t automatically qualify someone to oversee a workforce of three million and manage complex global challenges.

Moreover, Hegseth’s dismissive attitude toward the allegations against him and his controversial views on women in combat roles suggest a leadership style that could alienate key segments of the military and the public. His nomination reflects a broader trend of prioritizing ideological alignment over proven, ethical leadership.

This approach is troubling because it risks undermining public trust in institutions like the Department of Defense. Leaders in these roles must be held to the highest standards of integrity and accountability.

In a time when national security challenges are growing more complex, we can’t afford to have leaders who bring more controversy than competence to the table.

SENATOR WARREN: Will you agree when you leave the Defense Dept., you won’t work for the defense industry for 10 years?

HEGSETH: Not even something I’ve thought about.

WARREN: So every general should wait 10 years, but not you?

HEGSETH: I’m not a general.

*Laughter* pic.twitter.com/jeUxiH3YUk

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) January 14, 2025