WASHINGTON (Michigan News Source) – Veteran and former Fox News contributor and host Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense, presented his case to the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday during his confirmation hearing.

Hegseth positioned himself as a change agent, emphasizing his unconventional background compared to prior defense secretaries. In his opening statement, he argued that traditional choices for the role – retired generals, academics, and defense industry executives – have not delivered desired outcomes.

Combat-tested and committed: Hegseth pledges to revive military strength and warrior ethos.

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Hegseth asserted that his firsthand experience in combat, untainted by corporate or bureaucratic ties, uniquely qualifies him to lead. “My only special interest is – the warfighter,” Hegseth said in his opening statement, stressing his commitment to deterring wars and ensuring victory when conflict arises – defining it as “peace through strength.”

He focused on three primary goals: restoring the warrior ethos across the military, rebuilding the nation’s defense capabilities, and re-establishing deterrence. Hegseth also addressed the military’s recruiting and retention challenges, rebuilding trust, and elevating standards of performance. He said, “This is not academic for me; this is my life,” citing his combat leadership as a source of insight into the realities faced by American troops. In his opening statement, Hegseth promised to represent the warriors. He said, “Thank you for figuratively, and literally, having my back. I pledge to do the same for you. All of you.”

Pete Hegseth’s military background.

Commissioned as an infantry officer in the Minnesota Army National Guard in 2003, Hegseth served at Guantanamo Bay during 2004–2005, where he led an infantry platoon. Following this, he volunteered for deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, where he undertook roles as an infantry platoon leader and civil-military operations officer. His efforts earned him several commendations, including the Bronze Star, the Combat Infantryman Badge, and two Army Commendation Medals.

After returning to civilian life, Hegseth continued to engage with the military and veteran affairs, notably serving as the executive director of organizations advocating for veterans: Vets for Freedom and Concerned Veterans for America.

Concerns of the opposition.

Peter Hegseth’s nomination encountered resistance from Senate Democrats, who seized the confirmation hearing to emphasize allegations of misconduct, despite the absence of on-record accusers. They also scrutinized Hegseth’s remarks on women in the military, allegations of past instances of excessive drinking, problems in his marriage and various other concerns they argued rendered him unfit to helm the defense department. Missing seemed to be serious questions from them about China, Russia, Iran, drones and cybersecurity.

One of the main issues brought up by the Democrats were concerns about Hegseth’s comments regarding women in combat. While Democrats portrayed his past stance as universally anti-women in combat, Hegseth clarified that his current position centers on qualifications and the ability to meet job standards.

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Throughout the proceedings, Hegseth firmly defended himself, providing context and explanations for his past statements. He openly acknowledged his imperfections, stating that his life has been transformed through his faith in Jesus Christ. His nomination for Defense Secretary was bolstered throughout the hearing from documents submitted by Senate Armed Services Committee Chair, Senator Roger Wicker of Mississippi. These records included endorsements from numerous military personnel and other supporters.

Supported by veterans.

Hundreds of veterans gathered in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday to show their support for Pete Hegseth in an effort organized by Navy SEALs Bill Brown and Rob Sweetman. Dozens of these supporters filled the hearing room as well. Speaking with Fox News, Brown stated, “We want to show our leaders in the Senate where the warfighter class stands.” During a Monday press conference, he emphasized the significance of the moment, calling it a historic occasion where a large group of veterans united to take political action and rally behind a candidate for Secretary of Defense.

Michigan senators grill Hegseth.

Michigan Senators Gary Peters and Elissa Slotkin, both minority members on the Armed Services Committee, wasted no time targeting Hegseth, making it clear they were far from his supporters.

Senator Peters bemoaned, like several other Democrat senators had before him, that he didn’t get the chance to meet with Hegseth ahead of the hearing and said it didn’t set them on a good course. Peters also concentrated on asking questions about qualifications and wasn’t impressed that Hegseth hasn’t managed a large number of staff and said that Hegseth was lowering the standards of the position. He ended his questioning by saying, “You have not convinced me that you’re able to take on this tremendous responsibility with a complex organization and having little or no significant management experience.”

Newly-elected Senator Elissa Slotkin, brought up the concept of illegal orders with Hegseth during the hearing, asking if he believed such orders existed and whether he would follow one if issued by former President Trump. Hegseth said that “anybody of any party could give an order that is against the Constitution or against the law” but didn’t want to engage in her hypothetical scenario, saying he rejected the premise that Trump would be giving illegal orders. Although Slotkin was talking over Hegseth when he tried to answer her questions, he answered her concerns by saying, “I’m interested in upholding the laws and the Constitution in any particular scenario.”

During the hearing, Senator Slotkin, a former assistant Defense Department secretary and CIA officer, asked Hegseth whether if Trump asked Hegseth to use the 82nd Airborne in law enforcement roles in Washington DC, if he would convince him otherwise, ignoring Michigan history that the 82nd and 101st Airborne were deployed in the City of Detroit by Democratic President Lyndon Johnson in 1967 to quell civil unrest as pointed out in an X post by journalist Charlie LeDuff, who has written a book on the city.

What Michigan politicians are saying.

Rep Debbie Dingell (D-Ann Arbor), whom Michigan News Source reported does not support deporting illegal immigrants who commit sexual crimes against women, said on X about Hegseth, “As the leader of the Department of Defense, Hegseth would oversee critical programs to protect survivors of sexual assault. How will he address sexual assault in the military as a man credibly accused of sexual assault himself?”

Congressman John James (R-Shelby Twp.) said on X about Hegseth, “A warfighter’s perspective is badly needed at the bloated and beholden Pentagon. As a combat veteran, I am supporting Pete Hegseth for SecDef. His service in Iraq and Afghanistan speaks for itself. It’s time to stop the woke military agenda and focus on strength, merit, and readiness. Make America Strong Again!”