Jan 14 confirmation hearing set for Trump defense secretary

19/12/2024 6:05

The U.S. Senate Armed

Services Committee has scheduled a confirmation hearing for Jan.

14 for Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to

be secretary of defense, a source familiar with the plan said on

Wednesday.



Trump has reiterated his support for Hegseth, a former Fox

News personality whose nomination faces headwinds amid

allegations of misconduct in his private and professional lives.



A 44-year-old Army National Guard veteran, Hegseth has vowed

to continue fighting for the job, spending much of the past few

weeks in the Senate meeting with Republican senators whose

support he must win to secure the 51 "yes" votes he will need to

be confirmed to lead the Pentagon.



To date, there has been no public announcement that any

Republican will not vote for Hegseth. Several have said they

will follow with interest what comes out during his hearing. The

Armed Services Committee will vote on Hegseth's nomination after

the hearing, sending it for consideration by the full Senate.



Hegseth served in Afghanistan, Iraq and Guantanamo Bay,

Cuba, and has two Bronze Stars. But he has been criticized for

lacking the management experience needed to lead 1.3 million

active-duty service members and the nearly 1 million civilians

who work for the nation's military.



A California police report showed a woman filed a sexual

assault complaint in 2017. Hegseth was never charged and has

denied any wrongdoing. His lawyer told CNN this month that they

may take legal action against the woman if Hegseth is not

confirmed.



Trump's fellow Republicans will take control of the Senate

on Jan. 3 with a 53-47 seat majority. If Democrats remain united

against Hegseth, he cannot afford to lose support from more than

three Republicans.