The 100-Year Life Health Education and Government
Despite an intense and combative confirmation hearing it appears Donald Trump’s pick for defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, will have the votes he needs.
Since Trump nominated him for the role, Hegseth has been mired in claims of sexual assault, excessive drinking and financial mismanagement of the military veterans’ organisation he used to run.
Over a four-hour hearing, the former Fox News presenter repeatedly skirted allegations made against him in the media and stated: “I’m not a perfect person, but redemption is real.”
But Hegseth did backtrack on his statements, made as recently as November, that women should not serve in combat roles.
Confidence in Hegseth’s confirmation has mostly come down to an apparent change of heart by Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa, a survivor of sexual assault and combat veteran, who had voiced outrage over Hegseth which led to backlash from Trump supporters and threats of a primary challenge from other Iowa Republicans.
