Sen. Elizabeth Warren has sent a letter to President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of defense, Pete Hegseth, laying out a series of accusations and about 100 questions she expects him to answer during his confirmation hearing on Tuesday.
Warren, the top Democrat on the Senate Military Personnel Subcommittee, wrote a 33-page letter to Hegseth last week. In the letter, Warren referred to Hegseth as an “insider threat” because of his tattoos, which he claims are tied to “right-wing extremism,” and that he is “unfit” to serve in the military. He explains why he thinks so.
“Your appointment as Secretary of Defense would have a negative impact on our national security and disrespect the diverse service members who sacrifice so much for our country,” Warren said in the letter. . “I am deeply concerned about your actions and statements that demonstrate that you are unfit to lead the Department of Defense.”
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The letter begins with accusations against Mr. Hegseth, including allegations of financial mismanagement while running two nonprofit organizations, as well as accusations of heavy drinking and sexual assault.
The Massachusetts Democratic Party accused Hegseth of “gross mismanagement” of racking up debt and using business funds from a nonprofit organization he runs for personal expenses. She cited the names of Hegseth’s past colleagues who claimed to know what happened. Warren also claimed in the letter that some of Hegseth’s past colleagues had shared that Hegseth may have a drinking problem, adding that “at least 11 separate incidents have been reported. There was,” he said. [Hegseth has] In her letter, Warren asked if Hegseth would resign if he was caught drinking again.
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Warren also pursued Hegseth’s policy positions in the letter, some of which he has expressed in media appearances and books.
Warren criticized previous statements by Hegseth about women in the military, including her statement that only men should be allowed to serve in combat roles. Warren also asked Hegseth about other aspects of military women, including whether she thought single women in the military should use contraception.
Secretary of Defense candidate Pete Hegseth (left) and Sen. Liz Warren (right). (Getty)
Hegseth, who advocates for the elimination of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in the military, accused Warren of calling for “the firing of all generals, admirals, and whatever else was involved in DEI” in the letter. was criticized by “I woke up,” he said during a podcast interview in November.
In addition to potentially firing Pentagon employees who promote DEI, Warren also detailed concerns about Hegseth’s willingness to help pursue Trump’s political opponents. In one of Warren’s questions, she asked Hegseth to share her thoughts on the 2020 election and whether she thought Trump won fairly or lost.
At one point in the letter, Warren said that Hegseth was accused of an “insider threat” after reports that his tattoo that read “Deus Vald” was “a Christian expression.” , emphasized that it was removed from President Joe Biden’s 2021 inauguration ceremony. Associated with right-wing extremism. ”
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On Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth heads to a meeting with Sen. Ted Budd at the Russell Building. (Tom Williams/CQ-) Roll Call, Inc (via Getty Images) (Tom Williams)
Other sections seek to address allegations that Mr. Hegseth is reluctant to work with allies, including those within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, while Mr. Warren says he will support Ukraine in its fight against Russia. Given Mr Hegseth’s “skepticism” about it, he suggested that he would not be able to fully support it. Warren devoted a series of questions to whether Hegseth would “undermine” the interests of veterans and what Hegseth might do to the Department of Defense’s education efforts, the agency that educates the children of soldiers. I wondered if there was.
Trump transition press secretary Brann Hughes said in a statement to Fox News Digital that Hegseth “looks forward to answering senators’ questions and explaining in detail his many qualifications at tomorrow’s hearing. ” he said.
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“Warren’s letter to Pete Hegseth is exactly what American voters rejected on November 5th,” Hughes said. “Voters gave us a mandate to rebuild our military, rather than focus on ‘woke’ policies that have weakened our defense. A reform-minded defense secretary like Pete Hegseth will do just that. Sen. Warren’s letter proves why she is driven by ideology.”University professors have no place in the Pentagon to advance social agendas. ”
Attempts to reach Warren for comment for purposes of this article were unsuccessful.
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