Assault allegations, women in combat: Takeaways from Hegseth confirmation hearing

WASHINGTON ? Senators pressed Pete Hegseth on his alleged history of heavy drinking, shifting views on women in the military, and his treatment of women in a wide-ranging and often combative confirmation hearing on Tuesday to assess if he is up to the job of Secretary of Defense.

Hegseth, a former Fox News host and Army National Guard veteran, was excoriated by several Democratic senators on the Armed Services Committee, who called him unqualified because of his inexperience and past allegations of sexual assault and alcohol abuse.

But Republicans praised President-elect Donald Trump's choice to lead the Pentagon, saying his years of military service were the best preparation for the job - and Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst, a key vote, on Tuesday night told local radio station WHO she would support Hegseth's nomination.

Hegseth was the first of Trump's cabinet picks to face the heat of a confirmation hearing. A confirmation vote could come as soon as Monday, after Trump is sworn into office.

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He's a shoo-in

Sen. Joni Ernst, who had been cool to Hegseth when Trump first named him in November, was cordial during the hearing and by Tuesday night announced her support.

"I will be supporting President Trump's pick for secretary of defense, Pete Hegseth," Ernst told Iowa radio host Simon Conway.

Hegseth "was adequately able to answer questions on the issues," she said.

Ernst, along with Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine, was one of three Republican senators who seen as possible "No" votes. Republicans have a three-vote majority in the Senate, with Vice President-elect JD Vance as a tie-breaker after Jan. 20.

More: Sparks, but Hegseth unscathed in Defense confirmation hearing: Recap

Hegseth calls assault, alcohol abuse allegations 'anonymous smears'

In the lead-up to the hearing, senators were expected to zero in on a 2017 sexual assault allegation against Hegseth that resulted in no criminal charges and a reported history of alcohol abuse. And they did.

Hegseth had a practiced response – all the reports were false, he said.

"If it had been a sexual assault, that would be disqualifying to be Secretary of Defense, wouldn't it?" Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., said of the disputed 2017 sexual encounter.

"It was a false claim then, and a false claim now," Hegseth said.

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Hegseth also flatly denied reports raised by several Democratic senators that he has a history of alcohol abuse and was dismissed from positions heading two veterans' organizations in part because of his drinking.

Sen. Mark Kelly, of Arizona, asked Hegseth about a chain of allegations that he was seen intoxicated or drinking at work multiple times.

Hegseth said all were "anonymous smears."

Reverse gear on past comments

At his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Hegseth repeatedly distanced himself from remarks about women in combat that he made as recently as November 7.

“It hasn't made us more effective, hasn’t made us more lethal, has made fighting more complicated,” Hegseth said.

On Tuesday, he continued to backtrack from that stance, telling Ernst that “women will have access to ground combat roles” if they meet gender-neutral standards.

He also told her he was committed to appointing a senior official at the Pentagon in charge of sexual assault protection.

Would Hegseth deploy military on US soil?

Senators also asked Hegseth if, as defense secretary, he would go along Trump's plans use the U.S. military for domestic law enforcement.

Trump has said he would deploy the military to carry out mass deportations. He has also said he would unleash the military on U.S. cities "until law and order is restored."

"Do you support the use of active duty military in supporting detention camps?" Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., asked him.

"Everything we will do will be lawful and under the Constitution," Hegseth answered.

"I'm going to take that as a yes," Slotkin said.

Sen. Mazie Hirono asked Hegseth if he would carry out orders to direct the military to fire on protesters on U.S. soil as Trump had asked Defense Secretary Mark Esper to do in 2020.

Hegseth did not answer directly, and instead described how he was stationed in Lafayette Square in Washington, DC, as a National Guardsman at the time and had witnessed the unrest.

"That sounds to me that you will comply with such an order," Hirono said.

'Our standard is whatever the president wants'

Hegseth has said he would completely overhaul the military to weed out "woke" policies. He didn't back down during the hearing.

In his opening remarks, Hegseth called Trump's electoral victory a "mandate for change."

Asked by Sen. Ted Budd, R-N.C., how he would "ensure the military is focused on warfighting" and cast off policies to promote diversity and inclusion, Hegseth said he would act "A-number-one, from day one, with a mandate from the commander in chief."

"We don't want political decisions driving our defense department," he added.

Asked by Sen. Hirono whether he would overturn policies reimbursing members of the military for reproductive healthcare, Hegseth said, "We will review all policies. But our standard is: whatever the president wants."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pete Hegseth escapes 'smears' at confirmation hearing: Takeaways