{"id":2394397,"date":"2025-01-23T15:11:01","date_gmt":"2025-01-23T20:11:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/pete-hegseth-clears-first-senate-hurdle-with-two-gop-defections-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2025-01-23T15:12:09","modified_gmt":"2025-01-23T20:12:09","slug":"pete-hegseth-clears-first-senate-hurdle-with-two-gop-defections-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/pete-hegseth-clears-first-senate-hurdle-with-two-gop-defections-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Pete Hegseth clears first Senate hurdle with two GOP defections &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">26<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fpete-hegseth-clears-first-senate-hurdle-with-two-gop-defections-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2394397&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The Senate has advanced the nomination \u200cof Pete Hegseth for the position of\u2064 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/did-president-trump-spring-a-trap-on-treasonous-democrats-on-election-night\/\" title=\"Did President Trump Spring a Trap on Treasonous Democrats on Election Night?\">defense secretary<\/a>, with \u2062a vote \u200dprimarily along <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/lawmakers-debate-future-infrastructure-bills\/\" title=\"Lawmakers debate future infrastructure bills\">party lines<\/a>\u2064 resulting\u200b in a 51-49 \u2062outcome. This\u2064 marks \u2063an early test \u200dof Republican unity in President\u200c donald Trump\u2019s second term. Centrist Republicans Lisa Murkowski adn Susan \u2063Collins\u200c were the only GOP members to oppose Hegseth. The\u200d senate is expected to remain in\u200d session over the weekend to facilitate the confirmation of Hegseth and other \u200dCabinet nominees amidst potential procedural delays posed \u2064by Democrats.\u200d Despite facing serious allegations related to \u200csexual assault, alcohol abuse, and spousal abuse, which could have jeopardized\u200c his nomination, Hegseth has \u2063denied \u200ball claims.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Pete Hegseth clears first Senate hurdle despite Democrats&rsquo; efforts to tank Pentagon nominee<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1943405\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>The Senate on Thursday advanced defense secretary nominee <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/pete-hegseth\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Pete Hegseth\">Pete Hegseth<\/a> in a vote that was mostly along party lines, presenting Republicans a major test of unity just days into President Donald Trump&rsquo;s second term.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>The Republican-led chamber, requiring only a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/breaking-arizona-state-rep-issues-call-to-withhold-states-electoral-college-votes-to-joe-biden-due-to-significant-evidence-of-fraud\/\" title=\"BREAKING: Arizona State Rep Issues Call to Withhold State&#039;s Electoral College Votes to Joe Biden Due to Significant Evidence of Fraud\">simple majority<\/a>, voted 51-49 to clear a procedural step and set the stage for confirmation likely over the weekend. Sens. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/lisa-murkowski\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Lisa Murkowski\">Lisa Murkowski<\/a> (R-AK) and Susan Collins (R-ME), both centrists, were the lone Republicans to oppose Hegseth.<\/p>\n<p>Republican Senate leaders will keep the chamber in session through the weekend to confirm Hegseth and other high-profile Cabinet nominees to overcome procedural roadblocks from Democrats.<\/p>\n<p>Hegseth&rsquo;s advancement came despite a series of allegations involving sexual assault, alcohol abuse, and spousal abuse that threatened to derail his nomination. Hegseth has denied all allegations.<\/p>\n<p>In a <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/lisamurkowski\/status\/1882496900223377719\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"lengthy statement\">lengthy statement<\/a>, Murkowski said that &ldquo;after thorough evaluation, I must conclude that I cannot in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/democrats-tuck-female-draft-into-defense-bill\/\" title=\"Democrats Tuck Female Draft Into Defense Bill\">good conscience support<\/a> his nomination.&rdquo; Her reasoning centered on concerns about his experience and that the military veteran, who was most recently a Fox News host, failed to &ldquo;demonstrate to me that he is prepared for such immense responsibility&rdquo; of running the Pentagon. Murkowski cited allegations of financial mismanagement with Hegseth at the helm of two veterans&rsquo; organizations, along with accusations of &ldquo;workplace culture he fostered.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Murkowski stated further that she remained &ldquo;concerned about the message that confirming Mr. Hegseth sends to women currently serving and those aspiring to join.&rdquo; A&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3296261\/hegseth-denies-new-claims-affidavit-senate-vote\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">newly unearthed allegation<\/a>&nbsp;from his former sister-in-law claimed his behavior caused his second wife to fear for her safety. Hegseth has vehemently denied the claim. <\/p>\n<p>The admission by Hegseth to extramarital affairs, Murkowski continued, &ldquo;demonstrate[s] a lack of judgment that is unbecoming of someone who would lead our armed forces.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The leader of the Department of Defense must demonstrate and model the standards of behavior and character we expect of all servicemembers, and Mr. Hegseth&rsquo;s nomination to the <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">role poses significant concerns<\/a> that I cannot overlook,&rdquo; Murkowski said.&nbsp;&ldquo;Given the global security environment we&rsquo;re operating in, it is critical that we confirm a secretary of defense. However, I regret that I am unable to support Mr. Hegseth.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump&rsquo;s nominee to be defense secretary, testifies during his Senate Armed Services confirmation hearing in Dirksen building on Tuesday, January 14, 2025. (Tom Williams\/CQ Roll Call via AP Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>In a similar vein, Democrats say Hegseth lacks adequate experience and has accumulated too many damning claims against him. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) assailed Hegseth as the &ldquo;most unqualified, erratic nominee for a major position we have ever seen in America.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I want my colleagues to think about how absurd it is that this nominee has even made it to the floor,&rdquo; Schumer said. &ldquo;We are being asked to trust our armed forces to a man with a history of erratic behavior.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/defense\/3230599\/pete-hegseth-pentagon-bureaucratic-behemoth\/\"><strong>THE BUREAUCRATIC BEHEMOTH AWAITING PETE HEGSETH AT THE PENTAGON<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Still, Senate GOP leaders are barreling ahead in the coming days with his nomination and others, including Gov. Kristi Noem (R-SD) to lead Homeland Security, Scott Bessent for treasury secretary, and Sean Duffy for transportation secretary.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;One way or the other, these nominees will be confirmed,&rdquo; Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) said.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1943405\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1943405\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Pete Hegseth passes first Senate vote despite Democratic opposition<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3108,"featured_media":2394398,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Hegseth-from-hearing-1-scaled-1024x683.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[6203,44930,5894,3740,32076],"class_list":["post-2394397","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-gop","tag-pete-hegseth","tag-politics","tag-senate","tag-washington-examiner"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Hegseth-from-hearing-1-scaled-1024x683.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2394397","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3108"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2394397"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2394397\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2394401,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2394397\/revisions\/2394401"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2394398"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2394397"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2394397"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2394397"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}