During his first Senate confirmation hearing, Pete Hegseth, Trump's nominee for Defense Secretary, faced questions from Senator Dan Sullivan about Alaska's role in Arctic defense. Sullivan emphasized the strategic importance of Alaska in the face of growing Russian activity in the region.
President-Elect Donald Trump ’s nominee for Defense Secretary , Pete Hegseth , faced questions from U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan, R- Alaska , regarding Alaska and Arctic defense during the first Senate confirmation hearing for Trump's incoming cabinet. Hegseth, a combat veteran and former Fox News Host, appeared before the Armed Services Committee Tuesday morning for several hours, answering questions from committee members, including Sullivan. Sullivan began his questioning by referencing the late U.
S. Army Officer Billy Mitchell, stating that he was about to ask Hegseth 'the most important question you will receive all day.' He then inquired, “In 1935 before the congress, the father of the United States Air Force, General Billy Mitchell was testifying about a certain place in the world he said, quote, ‘I believe that in the future, whoever holds this place will control the world. This location is the most strategic place in the world.’ What place was Billy Mitchell talking about? And let me give you a hint—it wasn’t Greenland.”During the questioning, Sullivan emphasized the crucial role Alaska plays in Arctic defense, prompting Hegseth to mention a 'brief training exercise' he completed at Fort Wainwright during his military service, stating, “I look forward to returning.” Hegseth further asserted, “If confirmed, Senator, it would be a pleasure to work alongside you and this entire committee to recognize a very real threat in the Indo-Pacific, the very real ways—even these past couple of weeks, Russia has attempted to probe and push in and around Alaska. And also the very real strategic significance of Alaska vis-a-vis these shipping lanes through the Arctic. There are many, many ways in which Alaska is strategically significant, and with a shift toward—a necessary shift—toward INDOPACOM, Alaska, by necessity will play an important role in that.” Alaska’s News Source has reached out to Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, for her perspective on Tuesday’s hearing. We will update this story when we have her comments.
PETE HEGSETH DEFENSE SECRETARY DONALD TRUMP SENATE CONFIRMATION HEARING DAN SULLIVAN ALASKA ARCTIC DEFENSE RUSSIA
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Senator Warns Trump's Defense Pick Hegseth May Be Unfit for RoleSenator Elizabeth Warren raises significant concerns about Pete Hegseth's record and suitability for the Defense Secretary position in a detailed letter.
Read more »
Trump Picks Billionaire Defense Investor Feinberg for Deputy Defense SecretaryDonald Trump has nominated Stephen Feinberg, a billionaire with ties to the defense contracting industry, as his deputy defense secretary. This comes amid uncertainty surrounding Trump's initial pick for defense secretary, Pete Hegseth.
Read more »
New Jersey's First Asian American Senator Finds Desk Inscription of Trailblazing Senator InouyeSenator Andy Kim discovers his Senate desk belonged to Daniel K. Inouye, the first Japanese American elected to Congress and a prominent AAPI figure.
Read more »
Russian Warplanes Fly Near Alaska, Entering U.S. Air Defense ZoneFour Russian warplanes flew near Alaska, entering the U.S. Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) but remaining in international airspace. NORAD tracked the aircraft, highlighting ongoing Russian military activity near U.S. and Canadian borders.
Read more »
Alaska's National Guard Gets Boost in Defense BillA new defense authorization bill includes over $723 million for new military projects in Alaska, including a flight training facility and range expansions. The bill also prevents staffing changes that would have affected the Alaska Air National Guard.
Read more »
Alaska senator deems Biden drilling ban latest bid to ‘shut down’ US energyPolitical News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government
Read more »