WASHINGTON — Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's pick for defense secretary, publicly faced senators for the first time after weeks of questions from Democrats — and praise from Republicans — about his ''unconventional'' resume.
Hegseth, a combat veteran and former TV news host, says he will be a ''change agent'' and a ''warrior'' as Republicans demand new and strong leadership at the Pentagon. Democrats say Hegseth's lack of experience running a huge department, his past comments about women and Black troops, and allegations of excessive drinking and sexual misconduct make him unfit to serve.
Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., called Hegseth's nomination ''unconventional'' but compared him to Trump, saying that may just be what makes him an ''excellent choice.''
Rhode Island Sen. Jack Reed, the committee's top Democrat, said Hegseth lacks ''the character and the competence'' to lead the Defense Department. Reed said he has voted to confirm the nine previous defense secretaries, including in Trump's first term, but will not support Hegseth.
His confirmation would be an ''an insult to the men and women who have sworn to uphold their own apolitical duty to the Constitution,'' Reed said.
Here are some takeaways from Hegseth's confirmation hearing:
A 'warrior culture' at the Pentagon
Hegseth told senators that Trump's primary charge to him was ''to bring the warrior culture back to the Department of Defense'' and that ''he wants a Pentagon laser-focused on warfighting, lethality, meritocracy, standards, and readiness."