{"id":2394402,"date":"2025-01-23T15:26:00","date_gmt":"2025-01-23T20:26:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/murkowski-and-collins-come-out-against-hegseth-i-believe-character-is-the-defining-trait-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2025-01-23T15:27:20","modified_gmt":"2025-01-23T20:27:20","slug":"murkowski-and-collins-come-out-against-hegseth-i-believe-character-is-the-defining-trait-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/murkowski-and-collins-come-out-against-hegseth-i-believe-character-is-the-defining-trait-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Murkowski and Collins come out against Hegseth: \u2018I believe character is the defining trait\u2019 &#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\">34<\/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%2Fmurkowski-and-collins-come-out-against-hegseth-i-believe-character-is-the-defining-trait-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=2394402&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>Senators \u200cLisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Susan Collins (R-ME) declared their opposition to Pete Hegseth&#8217;s nomination for Defense \u2062Secretary, marking them as the only\u2063 Republican senators to do so. Murkowski emphasized that \u200dcharacter is a \u2063crucial trait for the role, highlighting concerns about Hegseth&#8217;s past allegations of financial mismanagement in veterans organizations, instances of excessive \u2063drinking, and \u2064questions regarding his qualifications. She mentioned\u200d that \u2063managing the Defense department demands significant experience \u2064and\u2063 that Hegseth&#8217;s history does not demonstrate preparedness for such \u200da critical position. Murkowski&#8217;s statement reflects broader concerns \u200cabout Hegseth&#8217;s leadership style and personal conduct, including allegations of infidelity and past incidents that have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/nih-doctor-flagged-wuhan-virus-lab-safety-problems-as-early-as-2017\/\" title=\"NIH Doctor raised concerns about Wuhan lab safety in 2017.\">raised safety \u200bconcerns<\/a>.  <\/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\">Murkowski and Collins come out against Hegseth: &lsquo;I believe character is the defining trait&rsquo;<\/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_1946178\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Sens. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/lisa-murkowski\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)\">Lisa Murkowski<\/a> (R-AK) and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/susan-collins\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Republican Senator\">Susan Collins (R-ME)<\/a> announced they will not support <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/pete-hegseth\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Pete Hegseth\">Pete Hegseth<\/a>&rsquo;s nomination for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/secretary-of-defense\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Pete Hegseth\">Defense Secretary<\/a> on Thursday, making them the only two <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/senate-republicans\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Republican Senator\">Republican senators<\/a> to announce opposition to his nomination, setting up a pathway to his likely nomination later on Friday.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;I believe that character is the defining trait required of the Secretary of Defense, and must be prioritized without compromise,&rdquo; Murkowski said in a statement posted on<a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/lisamurkowski\/status\/1882496900223377719\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"> X<\/a> ahead of Hegseth&rsquo;s first test vote on Thursday afternoon.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Murkowski continued, &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:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/pete-hegseth-clears-first-senate-hurdle-with-two-gop-defections-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"Pete Hegseth clears first Senate hurdle with two GOP defections - Washington Examiner\">role poses significant concerns<\/a> that I cannot overlook.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The Alaska senator, who has been a critical swing vote in the past, noted in her statement allegations of financial mismanagement of two veterans organizations, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3237208\/police-report-reveals-details-pete-hegseth-assault-claim\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">sexual assault<\/a> stemming from a 2017 incident that he says was consensual, excessive drinking, and concerns over his lack of qualifications to lead the Pentagon.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Murkowski announces she will vote no on Hegseth officially. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/SqKIL8lKEN\">https:\/\/t.co\/SqKIL8lKEN<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Samantha-Jo Roth (@SamanthaJoRoth) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SamanthaJoRoth\/status\/1882497299953381830?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">January 23, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>    <\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Managing the Department of Defense requires vast experience and expertise as the department is one of the most complex and powerful organizations in the world, and Mr. Hegseth&rsquo;s prior roles in his career do not demonstrate to me that he is prepared for such immense responsibility,&rdquo; Murkowski writes.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;His leadership of two veteran organizations was marked with accusations of financial mismanagement and problems with the workplace culture he fostered,&rdquo; she added.<\/p>\n<p>Murkowski&rsquo;s comments come after an<a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3296261\/hegseth-denies-new-claims-affidavit-senate-vote\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"> allegation<\/a> from his former sister-in-law claiming his behavior caused his second wife to fear for her safety. Hegseth and his allies <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3296261\/hegseth-denies-new-claims-affidavit-senate-vote\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">continue to deny<\/a> any wrongdoing. Murkowski points to the nominee&rsquo;s admission of &ldquo;infidelity on multiple occasions,&rdquo; calling it &ldquo;a lack of judgement that is unbecoming of someone who would lead our armed forces.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;While the allegations of sexual assault and excessive drinking do nothing to quiet my concerns, the past behaviors Mr. Hegseth has admitted to, including infidelity on multiple occasions, demonstrate a lack of judgment that is unbecoming of someone who would lead our armed forces,&rdquo; she said.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">From left, Lee Zeldin, administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency nominee; Kash Patel, FBI director nominee; Pete Hegseth, secretary of defense nominee; and Linda McMahon, education secretary nominee; gesture after the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Chip Somodevilla\/Pool Photo via AP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Meanwhile, Collins did not reference any of the allegations against Hegseth, but said her concern is surrounding his &ldquo;experience and perspective.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I am concerned that Mr. Hegseth does not have the management experience and background that he will need in order to tackle these difficulties. His <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">limited managerial experience involved running<\/a> two small non-profit organizations that had decidedly mixed results,&rdquo; she wrote in a post on <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/SenatorCollins\/status\/1882517564435140987\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"X\">X<\/a> on Thursday afternoon.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">After careful consideration, I have decided to vote against Pete Hegseth&rsquo;s nomination for Secretary of Defense. While I appreciate his courageous military service and his ongoing commitment to our servicemembers and their families, I am concerned that he does not have the&hellip;<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Sen. Susan Collins (@SenatorCollins) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SenatorCollins\/status\/1882517564435140987?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">January 23, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p> <script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>    <\/p>\n<p>The Maine Senator said she is also concerned about prior statements Hegseth has made about women serving in the military, previously telling a podcast in December that women&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/defense\/3235874\/austin-takes-veiled-swipe-hegseth-military-women-make-us-stronger\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">should not be allowed<\/a>&nbsp;in combat.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;He and I had a candid conversation in December about his past statements and apparently evolving views. I am not convinced that his position on women serving in combat roles has changed,&rdquo; she added.<\/p>\n<p>Republicans can afford just three defections with their 53-47 majority. If three senators oppose Hegseth, Vice President <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/jd-vance\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">JD Vance<\/a> would need to come to the Capitol to break a tie.&nbsp;Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), who had previously been considered a wildcard, voted to invoke cloture on Hegseth&rsquo;s nomination. However, it&rsquo;s unclear if the Kentucky Senator will vote to approve Hegseth&rsquo;s nomination.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Wicker previewed this possibility earlier on Thursday.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;If I were JD Vance, I&rsquo;d stick around,&rdquo; Wicker said, speaking to reporters, and later saying that Republicans still have the votes to confirm Hegseth. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <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_1946178\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1946178\"}});<\/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>Murkowski and Collins oppose Hegseth: &#8216;Character is key<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2657,"featured_media":2394403,"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\/AP25021669360711-scaled-1024x683.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[9199,9762,45173,45089,5894],"class_list":["post-2394402","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-character","tag-collins","tag-hegseth","tag-murkowski","tag-politics"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/AP25021669360711-scaled-1024x683.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2394402","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\/2657"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2394402"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2394402\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2394406,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2394402\/revisions\/2394406"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2394403"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2394402"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2394402"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2394402"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}