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Donald Trump’s pick to run the Pentagon told US senators on Tuesday that a “smear campaign” was trying to stop him taking the job, as he tried to persuade them to approve his appointment.
Pete Hegseth, a conservative former Fox News host, has faced renewed allegations of sexual assault, misogyny, excessive alcohol consumption and financial misconduct since Trump nominated him to be his secretary of defence.
In his US Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday, Hegseth derided “leftwing media” and “anonymous sources” for what he said was an organised effort to keep him from joining the next president’s administration.
“There was a co-ordinated smear campaign orchestrated in the media . . . most of it was about President Donald Trump who’s had to endure the very same thing,” Hegseth said. Later, he said he had been “fully investigated and completely cleared”, calling the allegations “false charges”.
The former soldier, who wore a blue suit adorned with an American flag pocket square, entered the room to a standing ovation from spectators and chants of “USA, USA, USA”.
“You get ‘em Petey,” someone shouted from rows filled with men wearing black “for Hegseth” caps as the nominee entered. Four people were removed from the hearing room during Hegseth’s opening statement, most of them shouting about the war in Gaza.
Hegseth’s grilling in Washington comes as the Senate begins days of confirmation hearings over Trump’s cabinet nominees, including controversial picks such as vaccine sceptic Robert F Kennedy Jr to run the health department and Tulsi Gabbard to be director of national intelligence.
The Senate, where Republicans hold a majority, must approve Hegseth but the nominee must first get the nod from the chamber’s powerful armed services committee, where Republicans have 13 seats and Democrats 12.
Washington is watching to see how Republican Senator Joni Ernst votes in the committee, given that she has expressed concerns over Hegseth’s stances on women in combat roles and sexual assault in the military.
On Tuesday, Ernst, a former soldier, told Hegseth she wanted to ensure every woman got the opportunity to serve their country “and do so at any level”.
Hegseth told her that women would “have access to ground combat roles, given the standards remain high”, and committed to appointing a senior-level official dedicated to sexual assault prevention and response.
Hegseth served in the Army National Guard but was most recently a host on Fox News, where he railed against “wokeness” in the US military and diversity, equity and inclusive initiatives. DEI policies in the military were “dividing troops” and forcing “commanders to walk on eggshells”, Hegseth said at the hearing.
“Wokeness comes not from the uniform . . . but from the political class,” he said, adding that troops would “rejoice” at a change in policy.
The conservative firebrand was grilled about writing that women were less effective than men in combat roles and had fiery exchanges with Democratic senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Elizabeth Warren over the issue.
“When I’m talking about that issue, it’s not about the capabilities of men and women. It’s about standards” that have been “eroded”, Hegseth said.
“I do not believe that you are qualified to meet the overwhelming demands of this job,” Senator Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the committee, told Hegseth. “You lack the character and composure to hold the position.”
Hegseth’s shock choice for the top Pentagon job initially alarmed some lawmakers in Congress, including Republicans, and prompted Trump to consider alternatives.
But the president-elect ultimately backed him publicly, and after a flurry of meetings with Senate Republicans, his nomination looks more promising.
“Pete Hegseth will make a GREAT Secretary of Defense. He has my Complete and Total support. Good luck today, Pete!” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform ahead of the confirmation hearing.
Trump’s national security adviser appointee Mike Waltz introduced Hegseth at the hearing and urged senators to confirm him.
“Admittedly, this nomination is unconventional,” conceded Senate armed services committee chair Roger Wicker. But he called Hegseth an “excellent choice” and likened the nominee to Trump.
Top Senate Republicans have signalled that they believe Hegseth has the votes to become defence secretary. Senate majority whip John Barrasso told CBS News on Sunday that the process was “heading in the right direction”.
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