Hegseth’s Hearing Signals the End of Bipartisanship in Defense Secretary Confirmations

“The Senate’s reputation is at stake,” Sen. Jack Reed said, as Republicans get in line behind Trump’s pick.

Trump Cabinet Hegseth

Sen. Roger Wicker said he expected Democrats on the Armed Services committee to vote against Pete Hegseth’s nomination. Sen. Jack Reed, the ranking member, called on his Republican colleagues to look closely at Hegseth’s record. Ben Curtis/AP

Pete Hegseth’s confirmation vote in the Senate Armed Services Committee is shaping up to be the first in the past four administrations not to have bipartisan support from the committee.

“The Senate’s reputation is at stake,” Sen. Jack Reed, the ranking member of the committee, told reporters.

Reed, along with his Democratic colleagues, grilled Hegseth over his views on women’s roles in combat, his extramarital affairs, sexual assault allegations, possible conflicts of interest and whether he would follow unlawful orders from President-elect Donald Trump. They attempted to reveal gaps in his knowledge of international security and asked directly about allegations of alcohol abuse.