Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) becomes the first Republican to oppose President Donald Trump's nominee for Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth, citing concerns about his behavior and qualifications. This comes ahead of a crucial test vote in the Senate.
Senator Lisa Murkowski announced Thursday that she will vote against confirming Pete Hegseth to lead the Pentagon, becoming the first Republican to oppose one of President Donald Trump 's Cabinet picks. The Alaska Republican's decision comes ahead of a crucial test vote to advance Hegseth's nomination toward confirmation.
\Hegseth's nomination has been mired in controversy, facing grave objections from Democrats and stirring unease among Republicans over his behavior and qualifications to lead the U.S. military. Democrats have highlighted allegations of sexual assault, heavy drinking during events when he led a veterans organization, and his past view that women should not serve in combat roles. While Hegseth has largely denied these allegations, a new claim emerged this week in an affidavit from a former sister-in-law who alleged that Hegseth was abusive to his second wife to the point that she feared for her safety. Hegseth denies this allegation as well. \Trump is standing by Hegseth, and the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee has dismissed the claims as factually inaccurate. 'I am ironclad in my assessment that the nominee, Mr. Hegseth, is prepared to be the next secretary of defense,' the chairman, Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., said in a statement on the eve of the test vote. 'The Senate needs to confirm this nominee as fast as possible.' Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said Thursday that Hegseth is unqualified for the job because of his personal behavior, including drinking, and his lack of experience. 'One of the kindest words that might be used to describe Mr. Hegseth is erratic, and that’s a term you don’t want at DOD,' Schumer said. 'He has a clear problem of judgment.' \A Princeton and Harvard-educated former combat veteran, Hegseth went on to make a career at Fox News, where he hosted a weekend show. Trump tapped him as the defense secretary to lead an organization with nearly 2.1 million service members, about 780,000 civilians and a budget of $850 billion. It will take a simple majority of 50 senators to advance Hegseth’s confirmation in Thursday’s vote
PETE HEGSETH DONALD TRUMP DEFENSE SECRETARY SENATE CONFIRMATION LISA MURKOWSKI REPUBLICANS DEMOCRATS ALLEGATIONS SEXUAL ASSAULT DRINKING QUALIFICATIONS
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