President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, faced rigorous questioning in his first confirmation hearing in front of the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday, January 14. Democrats expressed concerns about his prior conduct, while Republicans lauded his potential for change.

In his initial statement, Hegseth declared that politics should not influence military affairs.

However, the proceedings soon became partisan, with Democrats highlighting accusations of sexual misconduct, financial mismanagement at veterans’ organizations, and controversial remarks about women in combat roles. Republicans, on the other hand, defended Hegseth’s military service and viewed his outsider status as a benefit.

New chairman of the Armed Services Committee, Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Mississippi, acknowledged Hegseth as an “unconventional” choice, but suggested this could be advantageous, drawing comparisons to Trump’s leadership style.

A primary focus of the hearing was a 2017 sexual assault allegation. A female staffer for a Republican women’s group reported to the police that Hegseth prevented her from leaving his hotel room and forced himself on her following a political convention in Monterey, California. No charges were filed, but Hegseth later reached a confidential settlement with the accuser. The FBI background check did not include interviews with the woman or Hegseth’s ex-wives, according to sources familiar with the report.

The committee’s top Democrat, Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island, stated that Hegseth’s writings and alleged conduct would disqualify any service member from holding a leadership position in the military, and certainly not as secretary of defense. For the first time in his nearly three-decade Senate career, he said he would vote against a defense nominee.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York confronted Hegseth about his recent comments about women serving in combat roles. She referred to a November podcast where he argued that the United States should not allow women in combat and claimed that men are better suited for those positions. She asked him to clarify these statements, describing them as harsh, unkind, and disrespectful to the men and women who risk their lives for the nation.

The hearing also focused on allegations about Hegseth’s management of two veterans’ nonprofit organizations. According to a report by The New Yorker, he was ousted from leadership positions due to concerns about donor fund management and workplace behavior. Hegseth defended his record, stating he was “proud of every dollar spent” at the organizations.

Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Oklahoma, defended Hegseth, suggesting congressional hypocrisy: “How many senators have shown up drunk to vote at night? Don’t tell me you haven’t seen it, because you have,” he said. “And how many senators do you know have gotten divorced for cheating on their wives? … It is ridiculous you guys hold yourselves to higher standards.”

Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Illinois, a former Army helicopter pilot who lost both her legs when she was shot down in Iraq, raised her voice as she pressed Hegseth to answer questions he tried to evade, and said, “Let’s not lower our standards for you,” reflecting Hegseth’s comments about women in the military.

Hegseth’s alcohol consumption, brought up by his former colleagues at Fox News, led to his pledge not to drink alcohol if confirmed as defense secretary. Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, referred to NBC News’ reporting about these workplace concerns during her questioning. 

A crucial vote will be that of Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, a military veteran and sexual assault survivor who has previously expressed doubt about Hegseth’s nomination. During the hearing, she focused on his stance regarding women in combat roles and appeared satisfied when he affirmed his support for maintaining their access to such positions while emphasizing high standards.

The contentious hearing, interrupted multiple times by protesters, sets the stage for more confirmation hearings scheduled this week as senators work to help Trump establish his administration before Monday’s inauguration.