Hegseth hits back at misconduct allegations in contentious hearing

Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine tore into Hegseth over the sexual assault and misconduct allegations made against him, which Hegseth has denied.

The contentious back-and-forth saw Kaine ask Hegseth if he would respect his oath as defense secretary the same as he did for his marriages.

"I have failed in things in my life, and thankfully I'm redeemed by my Lord and Savior, Jesus," Hegseth said.

Kaine also pushed back on Hegseth's claim that the allegations were all from anonymous sources.

"We have seen records with names attached to all of these, including the name of your own mother," Kaine said.

Hegseth's mother, Penelope, has defended her son since his nomination but had previously sent an email to him amid his divorce in 2018 in which she wrote that he was an "abuser of women." The New York Times first reported the email.

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Hegseth grilled over sexual assault and misconduct allegations

Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., asked Secretary of State nominee Pete Hegseth if he would respect the oath for the position the same way he did for his marriages.

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Alsaka Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan questioned Hegseth and brought up his concerns and criticism of the Biden administration over what he called "woke" issues such as climate change research and investigating racism in the armed services.

He asked Hegseth if that would be the military's priority under his command.

"My secretary of the Navy, should I be confirmed, sir, will not be focused on climate change," Hegseth said with a big grin. "Just like the secretary of the Air Force won't be focused on LG-powered fighter jets. or the secretary of the Army will not be focused on electric-powered tanks."

"I say we're going to be focused on lethality, defeating our enemy," Hegseth added.

Democratic Sen. Mazie Hirono pressed Hegseth if he would use the military to seize control of the Panama Canal and Greenland.

President-elect Trump notably did not rule out such a scenario at a news conference last week.

"One of the things that President Trump is so good at is never strategically tipping his hand," Hegseth said. "And so I would never in this public forum give one way or another what orders the president would give me in any context."

Hegseth came under fire when questioned by Democratic Sen. Mazie Hirono about his past allegations of sexual assault, and alcohol use.

Hegseth pushed back against Hirono about the sexual assault allegation made by a woman in October 2017 claiming "it was fully investigated and I was completely cleared."

The police did file a report about the incident but while no charges were filed it also did not state he was "cleared." Hegseth later entered a confidential settlement with the woman in 2020.

"As secretary, you will be in charge of maintaining good order and discipline by enforcing the Uniform Code of Military Justice, UCMJ. In addition to the sexual assault allegations. By the way, the answer to my second question should have been yes," the senator said.