Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) has initiated a vote to confirm Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News host and Army veteran, as the next Secretary of Defense under President Donald Trump. According to a report from The Hill on Tuesday, Senate Republicans are moving ahead with Hegseth’s nomination despite the emergence of an affidavit from his former sister-in-law, which surfaced this week after Hegseth was approved by the Armed Services Committee.
The affidavit alleges that Hegseth has faced issues with alcohol abuse and has been abusive towards his ex-wife, Samantha Hegseth. However, Samantha Hegseth issued a brief statement on Tuesday denying any claims of violence against her by Hegseth.
On Tuesday, Thune filed a motion to conclude debate on Hegseth’s nomination, which was advanced by the Senate Armed Services Committee in a narrow 14-13 party-line vote shortly after Trump took office. This action paves the way for a Senate vote on Hegseth’s nomination on Thursday, with a final confirmation vote anticipated on Friday or potentially early Saturday morning.
Senate Armed Services Committee Chair Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) informed the press that Republicans are ready to work through the weekend to secure his confirmation. “The next step will be on cloture, scheduled for Thursday afternoon,” Wicker stated on Tuesday.
Wicker dismissed the affidavit, which claims that Samantha Hegseth once sought refuge in her closet out of fear for her safety from Hegseth. “I have not reviewed the document. My initial reaction is that I have serious doubts regarding its validity,” he remarked, referencing Samantha’s own statement that there was no “physical abuse” during their marriage. “I believe the nomination will proceed, and the next vote is set for Thursday,” he added.
Wicker also noted that Democrats might postpone a final vote on Hegseth until “late on Friday night.” Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a retired Air Force lawyer and prominent Republican figure on national security issues, dismissed the recent allegations.
Graham remarked, “I heard what his wife stated. It did not occur. I am becoming weary of these issues being raised at the last minute.” He further commented, “You have the individual who denies any physical abuse. That is sufficient for me.” When questioned about the sworn statements from Hegseth’s former sister-in-law alleging that the nominee often drank excessively, Graham dismissed the inquiry, saying, “No, I am fine,” and confirmed his intention to vote in favor of Hegseth.
In the meantime, Democrats continued to assert the validity of the last-minute allegation, despite Samantha Hegseth’s denial. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, stated, “These firsthand accounts are extremely significant and credible, and I hope they will convince my Republican colleagues that Hegseth is unfit for the position of Secretary of Defense.” He added, “There is no doubt that Pete Hegseth is unqualified and unprepared to serve as Secretary of Defense. The affidavit provides additional support to an already compelling case against him.”
Senators are expected to proceed with Hegseth’s confirmation following their earlier vote on Thursday to confirm former Representative John Ratcliffe (R-Texas) as CIA director. The Hill reported that Ratcliffe, a former federal prosecutor, previously held the position of director of national intelligence during Trump’s first term.
Republicans attempted to confirm Ratcliffe for his position on Tuesday evening but faced opposition from Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.). Murphy expressed, “I believe we should engage in a thorough debate regarding Ratcliffe. Many of us have genuine concerns about someone with a history of politicizing intelligence, similar to the demands for a full debate on most of Biden’s Cabinet and sub-Cabinet nominees.” He further stated, “It is quite ironic that Republicans obstructed numerous national security nominees from Biden and are now voicing complaints when we are merely requesting two days of discussion on one of the most critical members of Trump’s national security team.”
