Pete Hegseth confirmation hearing live updates: Trump defense secretary nominee’s opening statement revealed
By KATELYN CARALLE, SENIOR US POLITICAL REPORTER
Published: | Updated:
Pete Hegseth faces a confrontation during his confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill in his bid to become Secretary of Defense.
The Army veteran is the first of Donald Trump’s picks for his new Cabinet to face a public hearing on Capitol Hill and it will likely set the tone for how subsequent hearings will proceed.
Hegseth, 44, has drawn criticism from Democrats who say his age, lack of experience and negative press attention make him problematic for one of the most important roles for the department that receives the most congressional funding.
Despite reports of drinking too much on the job and allegations of sexual assault, Hegseth did not shy away from his appointment as head of the Pentagon.
Follow all developments in the DailyMail.com live blog
Pete Hegseth reveals his top priorities to overhaul the Pentagon in his opening statement
By Katelyn Caralle, senior US political reporter
Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Defense Department has three priorities that he hopes to implement if confirmed as the next Secretary of Defense.
The Army veteran will detail how he wants to restore the “warrior ethos” to the Pentagon in his opening statement before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday.
Moreover, his mission includes wanting to “rebuild our military” and “restore deterrence.”
“When President Trump chose me for this position, the most important assignment he gave me was – bringing the warrior culture back to the Department of Defense,” Hegseth will say in prepared remarks.
[Trump]like me, wants a Pentagon laser focused on warfare, lethality, meritocracy, norms and readiness. That’s it. That’s my job.’
Pete Hegseth is willing to take a huge pay cut for Trump’s top role at the Pentagon
By Katelyn Caralle, senior US political reporter
Pete Hegseth’s financial disclosure released Monday revealed that he earned $4.6 million over the past two years as an anchor at Fox News.
The 44-year-old Army veteran also earned approximately $900,000 in speaking fees at nonprofits, political action committees (PACS) and other conservative-leaning organizations.
If he is confirmed to lead the Pentagon, which is very likely in the Republican-controlled Congress, Hegseth will take home significantly less, trading his cushy Fox job for a highly regulated and under-the-microscope posted position.
As of October 2024, the Secretary of Defense’s annual salary was $246,400 — a huge payout for most Americans, but pennies compared to what Hegseth has grown accustomed to seeing in his pocket.
Trump’s good wishes for the Pentagon elect Pete Hegseth
President-elect Donald Trump expressed his support for Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth and wished him the best of luck in his nomination.
It comes as Hegseth prepares for his first confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday morning.
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