Army combat vet and former Fox News host Pete Hegseth’s nomination for Secretary of Defense has encountered a potential setback after two Republican senators, Susan Collins (R-ME) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), announced their opposition to his confirmation. Their defections have left Hegseth’s nomination in a precarious position, forcing the GOP to work to secure votes in a closely divided Senate.
Hegseth’s nomination passed a critical Senate procedural vote on Thursday, bringing it one step closer to a final decision. Known for his military service and strong advocacy for veterans, Hegseth has faced resistance from some members of his own party. The Senate voted 51-49 to invoke cloture, which allows for up to 30 hours of debate before the final vote, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown. In a detailed social media post, Sen. Murkowski announced she would not support Trump’s nominee.
With 53 Republican and 47 Democratic members in the Senate, Hegseth can afford to lose up to three Republican votes if all Democrats oppose his nomination. Murkowski acknowledged his contributions to veterans but questioned his experience in managing such a vast institution. “Managing the Department of Defense requires vast experience and expertise,” she wrote on X. “Mr. Hegseth’s prior roles in his career do not demonstrate to me that he is prepared for such immense responsibility.” It should be noted that most secretaries of defense in the past also did not meet her criteria but she supported them anyway.
“The leader of the Department of Defense must demonstrate and model the standards of behavior and character we expect of all servicemembers, and Mr. Hegseth’s nomination to the role poses significant concerns that I cannot overlook.” Murkowski finished, “Given the global security environment we’re operating in, it is critical that we confirm a Secretary of Defense, however, I regret that I am unable to support Mr. Hegseth.” Collins further complicated matters for the GOP by voting against cloture, effectively stalling the confirmation process. “After careful consideration, I have decided to vote against Pete Hegseth’s nomination for Secretary of Defense,” she wrote in a statement.
“While I appreciate his courageous military service and his ongoing commitment to our servicemembers and their families, I am concerned that he does not have the experience and perspective necessary to succeed in the job.” She added, “While I understand his points on the importance of up-to-date and workable rules of engagement, our prohibitions against torture come from American laws and treaties ratified by the United States, including the Geneva Conventions.” It should be noted that former Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, not exactly a fan of Trump, voted for Hegseth.
Should one more GOP senator defect, however, that would create a 50-50 tie, leaving it to be broken by Vice President JD Vance, who most assuredly would vote to confirm Hegseth, the president’s choice to lead the DoD. Hegseth, a former Army National Guard officer with several combat deployments, has been a strong critic of what he describes as the military’s “woke” policies. He has consistently advocated for the restoration of traditional values within the armed forces.