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Ex-Fox News host Pete Hegseth will call for the return of “American warriors” as he is grilled by the Senate ahead of his likely confirmation as Defense Secretary.
The 44-year-old veteran will face questions on Tuesday about his lack of management experience, his alleged heavy drinking, as well as his previous opposition to women serving in combat roles in the military.
He could also be asked about accusations that he sexually assaulted a woman in a California hotel room in 2017 – something he has denied.
“We are not Republicans or Democrats — we are American warriors. Our standards will be high, and they will be equal,” he will tell the bipartisan panel of senators in his opening statement, Axios reported.
His confirmation hearing comes hours after President-elect Donald Trump blasted special counsel Jack Smith over a landmark report found Trump tried to criminally overturn the 2020 election.
Smith said Trump “inspired his supporters to commit acts of physical violence” in the January 6 Capitol riot and knowingly spread a false narrative about fraud in the 2020 election.
Trump says California wildfires have caused ‘greater damage than nuclear weapon’
The president-elect called into Newsmax last night to talk to anchor Rob Schmitt and attempted to be a bit more sympathetic towards the people of Los Angeles, having so far largely spent his time attacking Governor Newsom from the sidelines rather than venturing anything close to consolation.
In a typically wide-ranging but meandering phone-in, Trump promised the mass deportation of illegal immigrants would happen “immediately” once he had taken office, teased the release of hostages in the Middle East while making no definite commitments and said it was “up to Vladimir Putin” when the Ukraine war comes to an end, which will not reassure Volodymyr Zelensky one bit.
Truth Social: Trump backs Hegseth and resumes attack on Newsom
Here’s the latest from Donald Trump on social media this morning, backing Pete Hegseth ahead of his Senate confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill:
He has since renewed his attack on poor old California Governor Gavin Newsom, writing in a second post:
Analysis: You might not like it, but a Trump-Obama friendship could save America
How a Trump-Obama friendship could save America
A friendly exchange between the two was reshared by Trump late Sunday, complete with fake subtitles. What that reveals about the current state of MAGA politics is telling, writes Holly Baxter
Who is performing at Trump’s inauguration?
This is when Donald Trump’s most controversial administration picks will go before the Senate
The tough questions Pete Hegseth will face at his Senate confirmation hearing
Who is invited to Trump’s inauguration?
Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 47th president of the United States on Monday, ushering in his second term in office and capping one of the most astounding political comebacks in American history.
He has broken with precedent and invited several foreign leaders to the ceremony. Historically, they have not attended the event due to security concerns and have sent diplomats instead.
Argentina’s president, Javier Milei, a strong supporter of Trump, has said he will attend, according to reports.
Another Trump backer, Hungary’s Viktor Orban, has said he is considering coming. Chinese President Xi Jinping is not attending, despite an invitation, but is sending an envoy.
Trump’s defense secretary pick set to be grilled
US president-elect Donald Trump’s pick for defense secretary is set to be grilled by the Senate ahead of his confirmation.
Former Fox News host Pete Hegseth will be quizzed from 10am on Tuesday over allegations surrounding his past and his suitability for the role.
The 44-year-old will face questions on Tuesday about his lack of management experience, his alleged heavy drinking, as well as his previous opposition to women serving in combat roles in the military.
He could also be asked about an accusation that he sexually assaulted a woman in a California hotel room in 2017 – something he has denied.
