WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., struck a positive tone in his questioning of Pete Hegseth during Tuesday’s nomination hearing for President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for secretary of defense.
Tuberville spent most of his allotted seven minutes commending Hegseth during the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing.
“I know this is tough, that’s what it’s all about though,” Tuberville said. “You’re a tough guy. Been here for a while and never seen this many people here for support of a nominee. That’s impressive.”
Tuberville rallied Monday with some of the veterans who came to support Hegseth.
Hegseth is a veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan and was most recently a co-host of “Fox & Friends Weekend.” Ahead of the hearing, Hegseth has faced allegations of sexual assault, alcohol abuse and controversial comments on women in the military.
Tuberville’s questioning focused on improving military recruiting. The Defense Department said in October that recruitment to military branches had increased in FY24 from the year prior, but noted there were still significant challenges such as a competitive labor market.
“I came from a team sport where the players actually won the games and that’s what’s going to happen here. You’re not going to win the game, you’re going to set the precedent,” the former Auburn head football coach said.
Hegseth said getting more people to join the military starts with leadership at the top.
“That chain has started to break with generations of people my age and older talking to their kids and grandkids wondering, pondering, do I want them to serve? Will my country use them responsibly?” Hegseth said.
Tuberville went on to claim U.S. service academies are teaching leftist ideology and complained about diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in the military.
Though Tuberville’s exchange with Hegseth was friendly, Democratic senators on the committee had fiery exchanges with the nominee.
Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill, a combat veteran, said Hegseth was unqualified for the position.
“The American people need a sec def who’s ready to lead on day one,” Duckworth said. “You are not that person.”
She questioned if he had ever conducted an audit for one of his former organizations like he would do at the Pentagon and quizzed him on his knowledge of international issues.
Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., said at a POLITICO Playbook summit Tuesday that Hegseth answered all of her questions when she met with him in December and that he has her support, along with other Trump nominees she’s met with recently.
“He committed to ensuring that women have opportunity in the armed forces and that there are no allegations, truthful allegations, of mistreatment of women,” Britt said at the event.
Britt also said she got assurances from Hegseth that there will be a fair process for determining the home of Space Command and is confident it will come to Redstone Arsenal.
A committee vote has not been set for Hegseth. Republicans have a 53-seat majority in the Senate and are expected to ensure his confirmation.