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Senate Confirmation Hearing for Defense Secretary Nominee Pete Hegseth Begins. Aired 9:30-10a ET

Aired January 14, 2025 - 09:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[09:30:00]

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: All right, you are looking at live pictures from Capitol Hill. This is the Dirksen Senate office building, a large hearing room. Pete Hegseth just walked in. This is the Senate Armed Services Committee. Hegseth is President-elect Trump's pick to be Defense secretary.

You're looking at the Armed Services chair Roger Wicker.

SEN. ROGER WICKER (R-MS): Good morning. The hearing will come to order.

BERMAN: Let's listen in.

WICKER: The Committee on Armed Services has convened this hearing to consider the pending nomination of Mr. Pete Hegseth to be secretary of defense. And -- and at this point, in light of the continued suffering and death in -- in and around Los Angeles, California, I'm -- I'm going to ask my colleagues and those in the audience to observe a -- a moment of silence.

Amen. Thank you.

I also want to take this opportunity to thank my good friend, Ranking Member Jack Reed. This is my first opportunity to chair this committee in this Congress. I want to thank Senator Reed. Under his chairmanship, he proved time after time that he cares deeply about national security and about the United States of America, and particularly, the men and women who wear the uniform and stand watch both here and around the world to protect the United States.

Senator Reed, I want to thank you for the many courtesies that you have extended to me in the past, and I look forward to working with you again in a bipartisan fashion this Congress.

It's also appropriate to recognize and welcome three senators attending their very first Senate Armed Service Committee hearing as members: Senator Banks of Indiana, Senator Sheehy of Montana and Senator Slotkin of Michigan. We are excited to have you as committee colleagues, and look forward to many important contributio- -- contributions from each of you.

And Senator Slotkin, as I look down at the end of the dais there, it seems that only a week or two ago, I was sitting in that very chair being recognized by the chairman of the committee, the distinguished senator from Michigan, so time -- time flies.

Now, let me say this: We had very a appropriate expression of approval by the members of the A- -- pardon me -- and members of the audience as -- as our nominee and his family walked in. The -- the distinguished ranking member and I sincerely hope that that is the last signal of approval or disapproval in -- in today's hearing. People of the public are here. They're welcome to observe today's hearing, and Senator Reed and I agree, though, that no disruptions will be allowed. Audience members may not verbally or physically distract from the hearing, to include shouting, standing or raising signage or gestures that block the view of the audience.

And we're -- we're very serious about this, aren't we, Mr. Reed? And...

REED: Absolutely, sir.

WICKER: Those who do so will be immediately escorted from the room.

So again, welcome to the witnesses, to his friends and to interested members of -- of the public.

[09:35:00]

If confirmed, Mr. Pete Hegseth would assume the role in a moment of consequence. The United States faces the most dangerous security environment since World War II. We're witnessing the explosive growth and reach of China's hard power. We're also observing the emergence of an axis of aggressors. That coalition is characterized by broadening and deepening military cooperation among the dictatorships ruling China, Russia, Iran and North Korea.

Terrorism remains a threat, as Israel wages war against Hamas and Hezbollah and as the Assad regime collapses in Syria.

America has entered a window of maximum danger, and the department needs energetic and focused civilian leadership. Those values begin at the top with the Secretary of Defense.

Many of my distinguished colleagues -- colleagues have served in a significant tenure on this committee, and our meetings are fairly long. We should reflect over previous secretaries of defense and their hearings and ask ourselves a simple question -- has the civilian leadership of the Pentagon under the administration of both parties proven up to the challenge?

Often, the answer has been no, the civilian leadership has not built the Department of Defense to meet the moment. And this is our moment to correct that. A few examples illustrate how leaders in the past have fallen short.

Most of the department's signature programs run years behind schedule and billions of dollars over cost. Vital initiatives have suffered, such as the F-35, the new Sentinel ICBM, and the Navy's shipbuilding programming (ph), including the Constellation-class frigate. The Department of Defense desperately needs civilian leaders who listen to the advice of combatant commanders, many of whom would benefit from innovative systems, yet a risk-adverse DOD culture has kept too many promising technologies on the wrong side of the so- called Valley of Death, that tenuous period between experimental prototypes and production contracts.

Defense companies backed by venture capital receive less than one percent of defense contracts. As we all know, the Pentagon still cannot even pass an audit. The department must simplify and streamline its bureaucracy so it can respond to innovation.

Staffs have ballooned. Organizations are top-heavy. Civilian leaders have promised time and again to slim down the bureaucracy, and perhaps genuinely hoped to. Every day, men and women in uniform make tremendous contributions to U.S. security. They and the American people deserve a Pentagon that does the same.

Today's Department of Defense is no longer prepared for great power competition. It is not a national defense institution ready to achieve and sustain technological supremacy across the range of operations.

Admittedly, this nomination is unconventional, the nominee is unconventional, just like that New York developer who rode down the escalator in 2015 to announce his candidacy for President. That may be what makes Mr. Hegseth an excellent choice to approve this unacceptable status quo that I just described.

He is a decorated post-9/11 combat veteran. He will inject a new warrior ethos into the Pentagon, a spirit that can cascade from the top down. Mr. Hegseth will bring energy and fresh ideas to shake up the bureaucracy. He will focus relentlessly on the warfighter and the military's core missions -- deterring wars and winning the ones we must fight. He will bring a swift end to corrosive distractions, such as DEI.

Today, many simply acknowledge and live with these systemic problems I have mentioned earlier, in acquisition, accountability, technology transition, and organizational civil service reform. Mr. Hegseth will actually move to fix these issues decisively. In short, I am confident that Mr. Hegseth, supported by a team of experienced top officials, will get the job done.

The Secretary of Defense is an incredibly important position, but the Secretary's span of control is limited. The Pentagon is vast, with three million-plus personnel, uniform, civilian, and contractor. A successful Secretary understands that steering the ship means focusing his attention on strategic-level priorities. The Secretary must be supported with exceptional subordinates who will run the day-to-day affairs of the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the military services, and the other DOD components.

[09:40:00]

I'm also confident that as an infantryman, Mr. Hegseth understands the military principle of commanders' intent -- communicate the clear objective, empower subordinates to use initiative and judgment, and hold everybody accountable.

We must not underestimate the importance of having a top shelf communicator as Secretary of Defense. Other than the President, no official plays a larger role in telling the men and women in uniform, the Congress, and the public about the threats we face and the need for a peace through strength defense policy. I have no doubt Mr. Hegseth will excel in the skill in which many of his predecessors have fallen short.

Much has been made of both Mr. Hegseth's personal life and some of his policy pronouncements. Regarding his personal conduct, Mr. Hegseth has admitted to falling short, as we all do from time to time. It is noteworthy that the vast majority of the accusations leveled at Mr. Hegseth have come from anonymous sources.

Contrast these anonymous accusations with the many public letters of support and commendation. We have seen letters from people who served with Mr. Hegseth. These individuals have worked with him professionally. They really know him and his character. These patriotic Americans have been willing to put their names and reputations on the line to support Mr. Hegseth. I look forward to sharing these testimonials with the American people.

Let me mention one right now. It comes from David Bellavia, who earned the Medal of Honor for heroic actions in combat in Fallujah, Iraq. David Bellavia writes the following -- "Pete is fearless, unflappable, and confronts conflicts head-on. He is a leader to the core. When Pete is confirmed as the next Secretary of Defense of the United States of America, this country will finally know the privilege of having a true ambassador able to speak on behalf of this generation and its two- decade Global War on Terror. Washington doesn't build men like Pete, combat builds men like Pete." As I said, there are more letters expressing the same endorsement.

Today, we will hear from the nominee directly. I want to thank Mr. Hegseth as well as his loved ones for being here today. I look forward to discussing his nomination and I look forward to hearing from Mr. Hegseth about the ways he hopes to rebuild the American strength that secures the peace.

And so now I turn to my friend and colleague, Ranking Member Reed, for his opening remarks.

REED: Well, thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, and I'd like to first congratulate you on your Chairmanship. I look forward to continuing our committee's strong tradition of bipartisanship and collaboration, and thank you for your thoughtful and (inaudible) service to the committee over many years. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.

I'd also like to take a moment to join Chairman Wicker in welcoming our new members, Senator Slotkin, Senator Banks, and Senator Shaheen. Welcome. We look forward to working with you.

Mr. Hegseth, I welcome you and your family to today's hearing. And I'm also glad to recognize my former colleague Norm Coleman and Congressman Mike Waltz. Thank you, Congressman. Mr. Hegseth, I want to begin by saying that I respect and appreciate your military service in the Army National Guard. I know from experience that there is no greater privilege than to lead American soldiers, and I thank you for answering the call.

You have been nominated to be the Secretary of Defense. The Secretary is responsible for leading a department of 3.5 million service members and civilians, an annual budget of nearly $900 billion, and hundreds of thousands of aircraft, ships, submarines, combat vehicles, satellites, and the nuclear arsenal.

The Secretary also plays a powerful role with our allies, partners, and adversaries abroad. And as we speak, China is seeking to undermine our interests, intimidate our friends, and challenge our standing in the world. Russia's campaign against Ukraine threatens not only Europe, but the entire global order.

Ongoing violence in the Middle East has teetered on the edge of all- out war. And the ideologies and actions of violent extremists endanger our citizens, even on our own soil, as the recent tragedy in New Orleans painfully reminds us.

These are perilous times, and the position of Secretary of Defense demands a leader of unparalleled experience, wisdom, and above all else, character. The Secretary is expected to be a fair, nonpartisan, and responsible leader, as well as a trustworthy advocate for the men and women that he leads.

[09:45:00]

Mr. Hegseth, I do not believe that you are qualified to meet the overwhelming demands of this job. We must acknowledge the concerning public reports against you. A variety of sources, including your own writings, implicate you with disregarding the laws of war, financial mismanagement, racist and sexist remarks about men and women in uniform, alcohol abuse, sexual assault, sexual harassment, and other troubling issues.

I have reviewed many of these allegations and find them extremely alarming. Indeed, the totality of your own writings and alleged conduct would disqualify any service member from holding any leadership position in the military, much less being confirmed as the Secretary of Defense.

Nonetheless, I understand that you reject many of these reports as they involve whistleblowers, nondisclosure agreements, and anonymous, although numerous sources, including those who have faced political intimidation for sharing their experiences.

I hope you will address each of these allegations thoroughly and truthfully during your testimony. Just as importantly, I hope you will pledge to prevent any repercussions for whistleblowers, both civilian and military, if confirmed.

Mr. Hegseth, during our meeting last week, you said that if confirmed, your top priority would be, quote, "Restoring a warrior culture to the Department of Defense," because you believe the U.S. military has been weakened by political correctness.

Over the years, you have made clear your opinion of the military's diversity initiatives. As you have said, quote, "Diversity is not our strength, unity is." In a recent podcast, you said, quote, "I'm straight up just saying we should not have women in combat roles."

When I joined the Army as a young officer in the 1970s, the U.S. military was rife with racial tension. Women were prohibited from serving in most roles. Gay service members were banned, and we relied on a national draft to fill our ranks. The soldiers I served with were proud to do so, but it was certainly not the nation's most capable military by any standard.

We have made great progress since then. Today, the Department of Defense is fully integrated. Every race and religion is accepted. Women serve in all combat roles and leadership positions. Sexual orientation is irrelevant to service, and the all-volunteer force visibly reflects the nation it protects.

Our military is more diverse than it has ever been. But more importantly, it is more lethal than it has ever been. This is not a coincidence. Mr. Hegseth, I hope you will explain why you believe such diversity is making the military weak, and how you propose to undo that without undermining military leadership and harming readiness, recruitment, and retention.

Mr. Hegseth, another reason I'm deeply concerned about your nomination is your disregard for the law of armed conflict and your support for service members who have been convicted of war crimes.

You have championed the pardoning of military members who were turned in by their fellow soldiers and SEAL. And let me emphasize that they weren't discovered by reporters, they were turned in by fellow soldiers and fellow SEALs. And also pardoning of military contractors convicted of killing 14 Iraqi citizens without cause.

You have also advocated for the restitution of interrogation methods like waterboarding that have been defined as torture, and you have belittled the advice and counsel of Judge Advocates General while on deployment.

In your book, "The War on Warriors", you write, quote, "Should we follow the Geneva Convention? If our warriors are forced to follow rules arbitrarily and ask to sacrifice more lives so that international tribunals feel better about themselves, aren't we just better off in winning our wars according to our own rules?"

Mr. Hegseth, I would ask that you explain how you, if confirmed, would maintain good order and discipline within our forces, and the support of our allies and partners by rejecting international law and the law of war.

I'm also concerned about your abilities as a competent manager of organizations far less complex than the Department of Defense. From 2008 to 2010, you led the organization Veterans for Freedom, which had an annual budget of less than $10 million. In each year you were in charge, expenses far exceeded revenues until the organization teetered on bankruptcy and had to be merged with another group.

In fact, according to the public reporting, an independent forensic accountant reviewed the organization's finances and discovered evidence of gross financial mismanagement.

[09:50:00]

I would note that this report has not been made available to any government agencies, which is I think, alarming. But a Republican advisor to you during your tenure at the organization who read the report stated, and I quote, "I watched him run an organization very poorly, lose the confidence of donors. The organization ultimately folded and was forced to merge with another organization who individuals felt could run and manage funds on behalf of donors more responsibly than he could."

I don't know how he's going to run an organization with an $857 billion budget and 3 million individuals. And that is the only comment we've had and the only access we've had to the forensic report.

A similar thing happened with the Concerned Veterans for America, a second veterans group that you led from 2011 until 2016. During those five years, tax records show that the organization spent more than it raised. Just as troubling are reports that a significant amount of debt was incurred from social events and parties filled with excessive drinking and questionable personal behavior.

Mr. Hegseth, I hope you will explain what actions you will take if confirmed to be a better steward of Defense Department's large budget.

Finally, while I appreciate our meeting last week, it is unacceptable that you did not meet with any other Democratic members of this committee before this hearing, as has been our bipartisan tradition.

During my time in the Senate, I have voted for and work closely with Secretary of Defense appointed by Republican presidents. While we may disagree politically, there was always an understanding that rank partisanship should have no place when it comes to providing for the men and women who serve in uniform.

And Mr. Hegseth, I am troubled by the many comments you have made, both as a commentator and in your published writings. For example, in your book, "American Crusade", you wrote, quote, "Modern leftists who represent the soul of the modern Democratic party, literally hate the foundational ideas of America."

You also wrote, "The other side, the left, is not our friend. We are not esteemed colleagues, nor mere political opponents. We are foes. Either we win or they win. We agree on nothing else."

Mr. Hegseth, if confirmed as Secretary of Defense, you would lead an organization that like the country it represents is composed of Democrats and Republicans. Yet, your language suggests that you regard many of these men and women as foes.

And I would ask you to explain why service members and civilians who do not share your political opinions can trust that they will not be targeted during your tenure. Indeed, the challenge of the Secretary of Defense is to remove partisan politics from the military. You propose to inject it.

This would be an insult to the men and women who have sworn to uphold their own apolitical duty to the constitution. Mr. Hegseth, you are the ninth nominee for Secretary of Defense that I've had the honor to consider as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

I have voted in favor of all your predecessors, including those in the first Trump administration. Unfortunately, you lack the character and composure and competence to hold the position of Secretary of Defense. Thank you.

WICKER: Thank you, Senator Reed.

And now, it's my privilege, and honor and pleasure to recognize two witnesses who have come forward to introduce our nominee.

First, I recognize my former colleague and former Senator Norm Coleman of Minnesota for the purpose of an introduction. Norm, we are glad to see you and glad to have you back. And you are recognized for the introduction.

COLEMAN: Thank you, Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member Reed, members of the committee, my former colleagues. I'm honored to introduce a son of Minnesota to you, Pete Hegseth.

As a Senator from Minnesota, I spent many hours with this young man as he walked the halls of Congress advocating on behalf of America's veterans. And he is young in the best sense of the word. He is strong, focused, intelligent, incisive, a great listener, and is almost supernaturally energetic, just what we need in a Secretary of Defense in times of massive change. He is the real deal.

F. Scott Fitzgerald was a writer in my city of St. Paul and said the problem with America is that there are no second acts. He was wrong. Pete was a brave soldier, has been an able communicator, and I believe is about to begin a great second act as our Secretary of Defense.

He has struggled and overcome great personal challenges. Please don't give into the cynical notion that people can't change. We need the ones who can change to lead us, to be beacons of hope, and to remind us that grace can lead us home.

[09:55:00]

Four years ago, President Biden's nominee, Lloyd Austin, a good and honorable man, received 97 votes on the floor of the Senate, and we went through the debacle of the Afghanistan withdrawal, Putin invaded Ukraine, the Houthis endangered our shipping lanes.

We witnessed Israeli miracles against America's enemies in the Middle East, where the United States was more of an impediment than a help. Our recruitment numbers have sunk dramatically, and our Southern border has suffered a slow but dangerous invasion. Yes, Pete Hegseth is an out-of-the-box nominee, and I say it's high time to get out of the box. One more thought. The country longs for a government of less division and more respect and dignity.

My hope is that this Committee hearing provides what they are asking for. Disagree. Yes. Strongly, if necessary, would then come together to support the nominee. This nominee, Pete Hegseth, of the one President we have at a time laying aside partisan politics for the essential mission of national security upon which everything else depends. Mr. Chairman, I yield.

WICKER: Thank you, Norm. I do appreciate that and appreciate your presence today. I now have the honor and pleasure of -- of introducing Congressman Waltz. I understand, Congressman, you are still a member of the House for another day or two.

WALTZ: Another day or two.

WICKER: OK. And I now recognize Congressman Waltz for whatever opening statement and introduction he might make.

WALTZ: Thank you, Chairman Wicker. And Chairman has a very nice ring to it. So, congratulations, Ranking Reed, distinguished members of this Committee, it is a privilege to appear before you today and urge the members of this Committee to confirm Pete Hegseth as our next Secretary of Defense. And I'm not here today just to advocate on behalf of a future colleague, but to speak on behalf of someone I consider a dear friend for over a decade now.

Like Pete, I served in the U.S. Army. Like Pete, I'm a veteran. We deployed to Afghanistan and all over the world at the height of the War on Terror, which is the war of our generation. And like thousands of other warfighters, we've witnessed the hardships of war. We've experienced the loss of friends in combat. We've endured too much time away from family and friends. And no one, I can promise you this, no one hates war more than those who have had to go fight it. No one does.

Pete's story, though, isn't that much different from the millions of other veterans, and they know it, and they appreciate him for the experiences that he's gone through. And after our country was brutally attacked on 9/11, Pete Hegseth answered the call of duty. Like so many others, he put the interests of this country ahead of his own.

And I can tell you firsthand, as can the heroes sitting in this audience behind me, Pete's character of country, his selflessness, his duty, these are the key tenets that have shaped him into the leader that he is today. These are the traits that President Trump recognized when making the decision to nominate Pete for this critical role. He will bring the perspective of being the first Secretary of Defense to have served as a junior officer on the front lines, not in the headquarters, on the front lines in the war on terror, and recognizes the human costs, the financial costs, and the policy drift that was discussed often in this very room that led us to decades and decades of war. So, not only does he understand the threats he faces, but as the Chairman mentioned, he is brilliant, in my mind, at communicating those to the American people in a way that is often not communicated in Washington D.C. to reach out to the American people so that they understand why the military needs to do what it needs to do. And look, I have no doubt that he is going to get the Pentagon back to its primary mission, lethal readiness.

That warrior ethos is what our enemies will respect. That warrior ethos is what our enemies will fear. And it's that warrior ethos that will keep the peace. And ladies and gentlemen, in my humble opinion, our military deserves better than it's getting. Our country faces a devastating recruitment crisis. Men and women are not volunteering to serve at the levels required. Our readiness is down. Our costs are up.

[10:00:00]