In response to Pete Hegseth’s confirmation hearing today, DNC Communications Director Rosemary Boeglin released the following statement:

“The confirmation hearings for Trump’s Cabinet kicked off today with an embarrassing showcase of the unfitness and incompetence of Trump’s nominees. Pete Hegseth dodged straightforward questions about the appalling allegations against him — including sexual assault and inappropriate workplace behavior — and made it clear he lacks an understanding of the role and basic qualifications to run the Pentagon. Hegseth still owes the American people answers.”

Does Hegseth agree that sexual assault, domestic violence, and drinking on the job should be disqualifying for a Secretary of Defense nominee?

Sen. Tim Kaine: “You would agree with me that if someone had committed physical violence against a spouse that would be disqualifying to serve as Secretary of Defense, correct?

Hegseth: *doesn’t answer*

Sen. Kaine: “You would agree that that would be a disqualifying offense, would you not?”

Hegseth: “Senator, you’re talking about a hypothetical.”

Sen. Kaine: “Many of your work colleagues have said that you show up for work under the influence of alcohol or drunk. I know you’ve denied that, but you would agree with me, right, that if that was the case, that would be disqualifying for somebody to be Secretary of Defense?”

Hegseth: “Senator, those are all anonymous, false claims.”

Sen. Kaine: “They’re not anonymous.”

Sen. Kaine: “If it had been a sexual assault, that would be disqualifying to be Secretary of Defense, wouldn’t it?” 

Hegseth: “That was a false claim then, and a false claim now.”

…

Sen. Kaine: “So you can’t tell me whether someone who has committed a sexual assault is disqualified from being Secretary of Defense?”

Would Hegseth follow orders to shoot peaceful protesters — which Trump suggested and former Secretary of Defense Mark Esper refused to carry out?

Sen. Mazie Hirono: “In June of 2020, then-President Trump directed former Secretary of Defense Mark Esper to shoot protesters in the legs in downtown DC, an order Secretary Esper refused to comply with. Would you carry out such an order from President Trump?”

Hesgeth: *Refuses to answer question*

Sen. Hirono: “Would you carry out an order to shoot protestors in the legs?”

Hegseth: *Avoids question again*

Sen. Hirono: “Again, you know what, that sounds like to me, that you will comply with such an order, and you will shoot protestors in the leg.”

Would Hegseth use military force to invade our allies?

Sen. Hirono: “Would you carry out an order from President Trump to seize Greenland, a territory of our NATO ally Denmark, by force? Or would you comply with an order to take over the Panama Canal?”

Hegseth: “Senator, I will emphasize that President Trump received 77 million votes to be the lawful commander-in-chief.”

Sen. Hirono: “We’re not talking about the election. My question is, would you use our military to take over Greenland, an ally of Denmark?”

Hegseth: “Senator, one of the things President Trump is so good at is never strategically tipping his hand. So I would never say in this public forum, give one way or another, direct what orders the president would give to me in any context.” 

Sen. Hirono: “That sounds to me like you would contemplate carrying out such an order to basically invade Greenland and take over the Panama Canal.”

Does Hegseth stand by his longtime opposition to women serving in combat roles? Why is he lying about “quotas” for service women?

Sen. Elizabeth Warren: “But I want to be clear here, for 12 years, you were quite open about your views, and your views were consistently the same. ‘Women are inferior soldiers, sailors, Marines, Airmen and Guardians,’ and in case anyone missed the point, and these are your words from 10 weeks ago, ‘women, absolutely straight up, should not be permitted to serve in combat.’ And I notice on each of these quotes, those are said without qualification. … So help me understand, Mr. Hegseth, what extraordinary event happened in that 32-day period that made you change the core values you had expressed for the preceding 12 years?” 

Hegseth: “Senator, again, I very much appreciate you bringing up my comments from 2013 because for me, this issue has always been about standards, and unfortunately, because of some of the people that have been in political power for the last four years –”

Sen. Warren: “Excuse me Mr. Hegseth, let’s just stop, let’s just stop, let’s just stop right there. Mr. Hegseth I am quoting you from the podcast, ‘women shouldn’t be in combat at all.’ Where is the reference to standards that they should be there if they can carry, if they can run? I don’t see that at all.” 

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand: “Give me one example, please give me an example [of changing standards for women in combat]. I get you’re making these generalized statements.”

Hegseth: “Commanders meet quotas to have a certain number of female infantry officers or infantry enlisted, and that disparages those women–”

Sen. Gillibrand: “Commanders do not have to meet quotas for the infantry. Commanders do not have to have a quota for women in the infantry. That does not exist. It does not exist.”

Will Hegseth follow his *own rule* for generals and commit to not profiting in the defense industry immediately after serving?

Sen. Warren: “You’re quite sure that every general who serves should not go directly into the defense industry for ten years, but you’re not willing to make that same pledge?”

Hegseth: “I’m not a general, Senator.”

Sen. Warren: “You’ll be the one, let us just be clear, in charge of the generals.”

Why did Hegseth attack veterans for receiving earned benefits?

Sen. Jacky Rosen: “Do you believe veterans should be ashamed for having sought and obtained the benefits that they have earned? Do you think veterans should be ashamed to seek out benefits?

Hegseth: *Dodges*

…

Sen. Rosen: “You said veterans are dependent on the government.”