WASHINGTON − Pete Hegseth, a combat veteran and former Fox News host chosen by President-elect Donald Trump to be the Secretary of Defense, will face a significant Senate hearing on Tuesday. This session is anticipated to review his attitude towards women and assess his temperament.

With a slim majority, Senate Republicans can only afford a few dissenting votes for Hegseth’s potential confirmation. Sen. Roger Wicker, the Republican from Mississippi leading the Armed Services Committee, has suggested that Hegseth has a good chance of becoming the nation’s 29^th Secretary of Defense.

However, Democrats have expressed doubts about Hegseth’s capability to effectively manage the Pentagon. Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island, the top Democrat on the committee, met with Hegseth on January 8 and stated he remains unsure about Hegseth’s ability to oversee the extensive responsibilities of the Pentagon related to national security.

Being a former co-host of “Fox & Friends,” Hegseth is viewed as one of Trump’s more vulnerable selections for a Cabinet position. This follows the withdrawal of former Representative Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., from consideration for the position of Attorney General shortly after being nominated by the president-elect last November.

Hegseth has faced allegations of sexual assault from a 2017 incident he claims was consensual, which did not lead to any criminal charges, and he has also been linked to claims of alcohol misuse.

“There are significant character issues associated with his behavior that need to be thoroughly evaluated,” Reed commented in an interview.

“Importantly, there’s a critical question regarding his loyalty to the Constitution instead of a political party or individual. It’s essential to confirm that his commitment to the Constitution will take precedence over any personal allegiances,” Reed conveyed to YSL News.

Wicker met with Hegseth last month to converse about his nomination and to align on foreign policy and defense priorities.

“I will continue to support President-elect Trump’s nominees,” Wicker stated in a press release. His office has not provided further comments.

At 44 years old, Hegseth brings a background in media and leadership of nonprofit veterans organizations to his Senate Armed Services Committee interview.

His goal: to become the chief executive officer of the $850 billion Defense Department. Senators are expected to demand responses from Hegseth regarding his remarks on women in combat, past sexual assault allegations, and alcohol-related issues.

Historically, any of these issues might have severely hindered the chances of previous nominees for the leadership of the Pentagon, which manages 2.3 million military personnel and civilians. For instance, a report by YSL News in 2019 about Hegseth’s tumultuous personal life led then-acting defense secretary Patrick Shanahan to resign.

Most defense secretaries, like Trump’s initial pick, retired Marine Corps Gen. Jim Mattis, have traditionally been established figures with extensive experience in military, government, or private sectors. In contrast, Trump has selected an outsider who resonates with his unconventional approach this time.

Trump won’t be able to nominate Cabinet positions until taking office on January 20. Therefore, Tuesday’s hearing will focus on information gathering, according to Reed. A committee vote will not occur until after the nomination process.

Trump’s transition team did not reply to a request for comments.

On Tuesday, senators will publicly scrutinize Hegseth regarding his past actions.

Women in the Military and Assault Allegations

Hegseth has made statements questioning the role of women in combat positions that have been available to them for over ten years. Currently, women comprise about 18% of military personnel.

In a podcast on November 7, he remarked, “It has not enhanced our effectiveness nor increased our lethality; it has complicated fighting.”

His remarks were met with strong backlash from female veterans and military professionals. Retired Navy captain Lory Manning, who served for over 25 years, warned that reducing women in combat roles could lead to a recruitment crisis, as they would have to lower standards to recruit less qualified men.

“If they look to limit women’s roles, even partially, they’d have to revert to drafting men who might not meet the same standards,” she cautioned.

“Draft reinstatement may be necessary,” she speculated.

In response to the criticism, including from Senator Tammy Duckworth, an Illinois Democrat and combat veteran who lost her legs in Iraq, Hegseth altered his statements post-nomination by Trump.

“We stand behind the outstanding women serving in our military today delivering critical contributions, including combat roles,” Hegseth later told reporters while meeting with senators on Capitol Hill.

Duckworth recently labeled Hegseth as the “most unqualified nominee ever selected for this role.”

Key Republican committee member, Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa, a fellow Army combat veteran, remains undecided on whether to support or deny Hegseth’s nomination.

On January 6, Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, a member of the Armed Services Committee, sent Hegseth a detailed 33-page letter requesting answers to various inquiries.

The 2017 Sexual Assault Allegation

One prevalent concern involves Hegseth’s treatment of women: “How often have you faced accusations of sexual harassment or assault?” Warren queried in her correspondence. This question stems from a disputed sexual incident in 2017 involving Hegseth.

A woman reportedly accused Hegseth of sexual assault at a California hotel in 2017, according to a report from the Monterey Police Department. She claimed that while recollections of the event were unclear, she repeatedly said “no” while Hegseth allegedly blocked her escape and took her phone, based on police documents.

Hegseth explained to investigators that he had been “buzzed” but not drunk at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa in Northern California before the encounter, which he maintains was consensual. This incident ended in a confidential financial settlement with the woman but resulted in no criminal prosecution.

Hegseth’s treatment of women faced scrutiny again when The New York Times published an email from his mother amid his divorce from his second spouse, Samantha Deering.

“You are an abuser of women – that is the ugly truth,” Penelope Hegseth claimed, accusing her son of being “dishonest, cheating, and belittling” towards women. Subsequently, she defended him on Fox News, stating that he is “not the same man he was seven years ago.”

Concerns About Alcohol Use

Questions regarding Hegseth’s alcohol consumption, another point of interest raised by Warren, will likely be addressed during Tuesday’s hearing as well.

In early December, Hegseth announced he would abstain from alcohol if confirmed. He made this pledge following various reports detailing his history of excessive drinking, often connected to his professional life.

A report in The New Yorker highlighted a whistleblower’s statement claiming Hegseth frequently appeared intoxicated while leading the nonprofit Concerned Veterans for America, including an incident where he had to be escorted from a group event. According to three sources, Hegseth was ousted from the organization due to issues related to alcohol.

Six former colleagues from Fox News informed The Washington Post that they observed Hegseth drinking at work-related events or appearing inebriated during work hours.

Hegseth has denied these claims.

Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., a committee member assisting Hegseth with preparation for the hearing, expressed confidence, stating, “Pete’s going to do just fine.”

“He’s faced combat before,” Mullin added. “He’s been under fire and can maintain his composure.”