President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for Defense secretary is publicly facing senators for the first time after weeks of questions from Democrats — and praise from Republicans — about his “unconventional” resume.
Pete Hegseth, a former combat veteran and TV news show host, says he will be a “change agent” and a “warrior” for the department as Republicans demand new and strong leadership in the Pentagon. Democrats say Hegseth’s lack of experience, his past comments about women and Black troops and allegations of excessive drinking and sexual misconduct, make him unfit to serve.
Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., called Hegseth’s nomination to lead the Defense Department “unconventional” but compared him to Trump, and said that may just be what makes him an “excellent choice.”
Related Coverage
AllSides Picks
Headline Roundup
Pentagon Reportedly Plans for US Military Bases to Operate 90 Days Without Outside Support
October 27th, 2026
Red Blue Translator
Peace
Red Blue Translator
War on Terror
Announcement
Why AllSides Uses the Term ‘Assisted Dying’ and Not ‘Assisted Suicide’
AllSides Staff
October 31st, 2026
More News about Defense and Security
News from the Left
News from the Center
News from the Right
Associated Press