Summary of "Drunkenness, Women and Wokeness: A Dramatic Confirmation Hearing for Pete Hegseth"

Podcast Information

• Title: The Daily
• Host/Authors: Michael Barbaro and Sabrina Tavernise, The New York Times
• Description: The Daily delivers the biggest stories of our time, narrated by top journalists. Available five days a week, ready by 6 a.m.
• Episode Title: Drunkenness, Women and Wokeness: A Dramatic Confirmation Hearing for Pete Hegseth
• Release Date: January 15, 2025

Introduction

In the January 15, 2025 episode of The Daily, hosts Michael Barbaro and Sabrina Tavernise delve into the contentious confirmation hearing of Pete Hegseth for the position of Secretary of Defense under President Donald Trump. The nomination has sparked significant debate across the political spectrum due to Hegseth's unconventional background, controversial views, and reported personal misconduct.

Background on Pete Hegseth's Nomination

Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News commentator and leader of veterans' groups, was nominated by President Trump for Secretary of Defense. His nomination deviates sharply from traditional candidates due to allegations of personality misconduct, controversial statements regarding women in the military, and a lack of conventional management experience. These factors have raised doubts about his suitability for overseeing one of the United States' most critical military institutions.

Key Points:

• Controversial Nominee: Hegseth's background as a media personality and leader of veterans' organizations.
• Allegations of Misconduct: Reports of public drunkenness, treatment of women, and a past sexual assault allegation.
• Lack of Traditional Experience: Limited management experience compared to previous Secretaries of Defense.

Committee's Opening Statements

The confirmation hearing took place at the Senate Armed Services Committee, chaired by Senator Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi). The Republicans, holding a narrow majority, displayed unwavering support for Hegseth from the outset.

Senator Roger Wicker's Opening Remarks:

"He is a decorated post-911 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."
[05:54]

Wicker emphasized the need for revitalizing the Department of Defense (DoD) and criticized the current administration for weakening the military. His remarks signaled a defense of Hegseth's unconventional nomination, portraying him as a necessary change agent.

Hegseth's Opening Statement

Pete Hegseth addressed the committee, attempting to present himself as a bipartisan leader committed to national security. He emphasized his dedication to collaborating across party lines and highlighted his personal support system.

Hegseth's Statement:

"Should I be confirmed? I look forward to working with this committee, senators from both parties to secure our nation."
[09:25]

He thanked his family, including his wife and seven children, aiming to humanize himself amidst the scrutiny.

Democratic Senators' Questions and Criticisms

Democratic senators seized the opportunity to scrutinize Hegseth's qualifications and past statements, particularly focusing on his views regarding women in the military and personal conduct.

Key Points and Quotes:

1. Women in the Military:

   • Senator Jack Reed (D-Rhode Island):

     "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."
     [08:09]

   • Senator Jean Shaheen (D-New Hampshire):

     "Mr. Hegseth, should we take it to believe that you believe that the two... hundreds of women who are currently in the infantry, lethal members of our military, serving in the infantry and ground combat roles. So please explain these types of statements because they're brutal and they're mean."
     [17:01]

2. Personal Conduct and Qualifications:

   • Senator Tim Kaine (D-Virginia):

     "You have had extramarital affairs that you have acknowledged. How does that affect your ability to lead the Department of Defense?"
     [24:33]

   • Senator Gary Peters (D-Michigan):

     "What's the largest number of people you've ever supervised or had in an organization in your career? Not three million? No, I don't expect that. No one."
     [26:26]

Democrats challenged Hegseth's ability to lead a massive organization like the DoD, questioning his lack of experience and previous management roles.

Republican Senators' Support and Questions

Republican senators countered the Democrats' criticisms by reiterating Hegseth's strengths and addressing his qualifications from a military efficacy standpoint.

Key Points and Quotes:

1. Emphasis on Standards and Readiness:

   • Senator Joanie Ernst (R-Iowa):

     "Men and women must meet the same high standards. They must be physically able to achieve those standards in order to serve in these units."
     [22:15]

   • Senator Tim Sheehy (R-Maine):

     "How many rounds of 5.56 can you fit into the magazine of an M4 rifle? Depends on the magazine, but standard issue is 30. And what size round does the M9 Beretta standard issue sidearm for the military fire?"
     [28:24]

2. Defense of Hegseth's Military Knowledge:

   • Republicans probed Hegseth on military specifics, such as ammunition types and tactical gear, to demonstrate his practical understanding of military operations.

3. Critique of Democratic Focus on DEI:

   • Senator Tuberville (R-Alabama):

     "We're spending more money on transgender restrooms than we are coverings for $100 million airplanes. That's not acceptable."
     [23:34]

   • Republicans argued that Democratic policies on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) detracted from military effectiveness.

Key Themes: Women in Military, Standards, and Qualifications

Women in the Military

A significant portion of the hearing addressed Hegseth's previous statements suggesting that women in combat roles reduce military effectiveness. Democratic senators highlighted his 2024 comments on Fox News, where he stated:

"I'm straight up saying that we should not have women in combat roles. It hasn't made us more effective."
[16:44]

Hegseth attempted to moderate his stance, acknowledging the contributions of women in the military but stopped short of fully retracting his earlier positions.

Standards and Readiness

Hegseth emphasized the importance of maintaining high standards within the military. He argued that current DEI initiatives have diluted these standards, impacting overall readiness.

"Standards that we unfortunately, over time, have seen eroded in certain duty positions... affects readiness, which is what I care about the most."
[19:14]

Republican senators echoed this sentiment, advocating for a merit-based approach focused on military effectiveness rather than political correctness.

Qualifications for Secretary of Defense

Democrats questioned Hegseth's ability to oversee the DoD, highlighting his limited managerial experience and personal conduct issues. Conversely, Republicans defended his practical military knowledge and portrayed his unconventional background as an asset for revitalizing the DoD.

"No, you don't expect that... If they said, you have supervised 100 people before, you wouldn't be hired as a CEO of one of the biggest companies in the country."
[26:52]

Conclusion and Political Implications

By the end of the hearing, the political divide was starkly evident. Democrats remained resolute in opposing Hegseth's nomination, citing his controversial statements and perceived lack of qualifications. Republicans, on the other hand, maintained strong support, emphasizing his military knowledge and potential to enhance the DoD's effectiveness.

Final Remarks by Michael Barbaro:

"And by the end, it's very interesting, Democrats have basically been saying, you're not technically qualified to run the Department of Defense... As they see it, they're both kind of talking right past each other, the Democrats and Republicans."
[29:14]

With key Republican senators like Joni Ernst signaling their support, the likelihood of Hegseth's confirmation appeared high. This outcome underscores the broader political narrative of disruption versus maintaining the status quo, reflecting the tensions from the recent election cycle.

Final Insight by Eric Schmidt:

"I think you're right, Michael, that this election was about change and was about disruption... Democrats seem fine with the risk that they're going against the trend of disruption."
[34:35]

The confirmation of Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense would signify a continuation of President Trump's unconventional appointments, potentially reshaping the Pentagon's approach to national security and military management.

Notable Quotes:

1. Senator Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi):

   "The secretary is expected to be a fair, nonpartisan and responsible leader, as well."
   [07:40]

2. Pete Hegseth:

   "Should I be confirmed? I look forward to working with this committee, senators from both parties to secure our nation."
   [09:25]

3. Senator Jack Reed (D-Rhode Island):

   "We must acknowledge the concerning public reports against you."
   [07:46]

4. Senator Joanie Ernst (R-Iowa):

   "Men and women must meet the same high standards. They must be physically able to achieve those standards in order to serve in these units."
   [22:15]

5. Senator Gary Peters (D-Michigan):

   "What's the largest number of people you've ever supervised or had in an organization in your career? Not three million? No, I don't expect that. No one."
   [26:26]

This detailed summary captures the essence of the dramatic confirmation hearing for Pete Hegseth, highlighting the clash between Republican support and Democratic opposition. The hearing not only scrutinized Hegseth's qualifications and past statements but also reflected the ongoing political struggles over military policies and leadership.