President-elect Donald Trump’s defense pick Pete Hegseth is diligently preparing for his Senate confirmation hearing, which is crucial in determining his confirmation to the job. Hegseth and his team are meticulously reviewing potentially challenging questions and strategizing on how to address skeptical senators.
Every Cabinet nominee goes through rigorous preparation for these hearings, but Hegseth's preparation has intensified due to recent allegations against him. These allegations include sexual assault, excessive alcohol use, and financial mismanagement of veterans’ organizations. Hegseth has vehemently denied all accusations, attributing them to a smear campaign. Nevertheless, his team is bracing for these issues to be raised during the hearing.
On Monday, Hegseth dedicated several hours to a final review of his preparation before heading to Capitol Hill on Tuesday morning. According to a source familiar with the process, some of Hegseth's recent meetings with senators, such as Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst, have provided valuable insights for his team, offering a glimpse into the types of questions he may face during the hearing.
