Donald Trump’s choice for US defence secretary has been accused of lacking the competence for the job, during a much-disrupted Senate confirmation hearing.

Senators are determining whether Pete Hegseth, a former combat veteran and TV news show host, is fit to lead the US military as Mr Trump’s choice for defence secretary.

He is a controversial choice because of past statements and actions, including allegations of sexual assault, excessive drinking and derisive views about women in military combat roles and minorities.

Image:
Pete Hegseth at the committee hearing. Pic: Reuters

During the hearing – which has been disrupted by three protestors – Republican Senator Roger Wicker, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said: “Mr Hegseth has admitted to falling short as we all do from time to time.”

But he added: “I have no doubt Mr Hegseth will excel in a skill in which many of his predecessors have fallen short.”

In contrast, Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the committee, told Mr Hegseth: “I do not believe that you are qualified to meet the overwhelming demands of this job

“Unfortunately, you lack the character and composure and competence to hold the position of defence.”

Mr Reed also commented on the FBI background investigation into Mr Hegseth: “I want to say, for the record, I believe the investigation was insufficient.”

Mr Hegseth’s opening statement was interrupted by three protesters, all of whom were arrested.

One could be heard calling Hegseth a “Christian zionist”, moments later another person began shouting about “bombing babies in Gaza”.

Security personnel remove a protester as Pete Hegseth, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to be secretary of defense, testifies before a Senate Committee on Armed Services confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., January 14, 2025. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
Image:
Security removed a protester who interrupted Pete Hegseth’s opening statement. Pic: Reuters

When Mr Hegseth addressed the committee he spoke about why he thought president-elect Donald Trump chose him for the position.

He said: “The primary charge he gave me was to bring the warrior culture back to the department of defence.

“He, like me, wants a Pentagon laser-focused on lethality, meritocracy, warfare, fighting, accountability and readiness to stop bombing that night in our homeland.”

Who is Pete Hegseth?

A former Fox News commentator and National Guard veteran Pete Hegseth has been picked as Mr Trump’s defence secretary.

The president-elect described him as “tough, smart and a true believer in America First… our military will be great again, and America will never back down”.

If confirmed by the Senate, Mr Hegseth could make good on Mr Trump’s campaign promises to rid the US military of generals who he accuses of pursuing progressive policies on diversity in the ranks that conservatives have rallied against.

In the past Mr Hegseth has expressed disdain for the so-called “woke” policies of Pentagon leaders including its top military officer.

He has also railed against NATO allies for being weak and claimed China is on the verge of dominating its neighbours.

Mr Hegseth has pushed for making the US military more lethal and argued allowing women to serve in combat hurts that effort.

Though he said diversity in the military is a strength, he said that was because minority and white men “can perform similarly” but the same is not true for women.

Critics have pointed to Mr Hegseth’s lack of experience with some suggesting he could be defence secretary in name only as the Trump White House runs the department.

Another Democrat on the committee, Senator Jeanne Shaheen, questioned Mr Hegseth about past comments suggesting women should not serve in combat roles.

U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) speaks as Pete Hegseth, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to be secretary of defense, testifies before a Senate Committee on Armed Services confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., January 14, 2025. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz
Image:
Democrat Senator Jeanne Shaheen focussed on comments Mr Hegseth has made about women serving in the military. Pic: Reuters

He replied that, over time, the US military had seen an erosion of “certain duty positions, certain schools, certain places, which affects readiness, which is what I care about the most, readiness”.

Mr Hegseth added he would be “honoured” to serve alongside “men and women, black, white, all backgrounds with a shared purpose” and he would treat women and minorities fairly if he was confirmed for the job.

Mrs Shaheen replied: “I appreciate your 11th-hour conversion.”

But he added he would review military standards that prioritise gender or race.