Sen. Elizabeth Warren has sent a letter to President-elect Donald Trump's pick for defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, requesting further clarification on various issues before his confirmation hearing next Tuesday. The Massachusetts Democrat has posed questions to Hegseth regarding allegations of past drinking, sexual assault, and mismanagement of veterans organization finances, all of which he denies. She is also seeking insights into his statements concerning minorities, women, and LGBTQ individuals serving in the military.
Hegseth, a former Fox News host and Army veteran, has garnered support from certain veterans groups who believe that the military has placed too much emphasis on diversity at the expense of troop readiness. A group of former Navy SEALs is planning a rally in Washington next week in support of Hegseth, with organizer Bill Brown emphasizing the importance of focusing on military readiness over social justice initiatives.
While some of the concerns about Hegseth's past conduct stem from reports based on anonymous sources, others are linked to his public statements and writings. In his book 'War on Warriors,' Hegseth made controversial remarks about Gen. CQ Brown's promotion to chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, suggesting that race played a role in his advancement. Additionally, Hegseth has expressed reservations about the role of women in combat, although he appeared to moderate some of those views during meetings with senators.
Warren has expressed doubts about Hegseth's suitability for the role of Defense Secretary, citing concerns about his past behavior and rhetoric. In response, a spokesperson for the Trump transition team criticized Warren's letter, stating that the American voters had rejected such 'woke' policies and instead supported a reform-minded Secretary of Defense like Hegseth who would focus on rebuilding the military.
