Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski said Thursday she is “unable to endorse” Pete Hegseth for defense secretary. She is the first Republican to express her opposition to President Trump's nominee ahead of his Senate confirmation vote.
The Alaska Republican was seen as a potential “no” vote on Capitol Hill and Hegseth was asked tough questions about his views about women in war, about his character, and about the lack of an FBI background check.
“The leader of the Department of Defense must demonstrate and model the standards of behavior and character we expect from all service members, and Mr. Hegseth's nomination to this role raises significant concerns,” Murkowski said in a lengthy statement Thursday. Does something I can't ignore.” “Given the global security environment in which we operate, it is important that we confirm the Secretary of Defense, however, I regret that I am unable to support Mr. Hegseth.”
Murkowski praised his military service and his advocacy for veterans, but said these factors “do not mitigate the significant concerns I have regarding his nomination.”
They pointed to his record in leading two veteran organizations, saying that his leadership was “plagued by allegations of financial mismanagement and problems with the workplace culture he promoted.”
And Murkowski, noting that she has “recently revised her statements on women in combat since her nomination,” said she is still “concerned about the message that Mr. Hegseth's confirmation sends to the current “
It's not yet clear whether any other Republicans will also vote against Hegseth, the 44-year-old veteran and Fox News host. Hegseth needs a simple majority in the Senate to be confirmed, and in the event of a tie, Vice President J.D. Vance could break it.
Murkowski said she has carefully reviewed Hegseth's writings and other materials and has received “substantial feedback” from constituents, veterans and other organizations.
“After a thorough evaluation, I must conclude that I cannot in good conscience support his nomination for Secretary of Defense,” she wrote.