Yesterday, Pete Hegseth fended off attacks and answered questions in what was always going to be one of the most contentious confirmation hearings. Will the Senate vote to confirm him?

From Fox News. President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Defense, Pete Hegseth, faced a Senate grilling on Tuesday as lawmakers determine whether they will vote in support of the nominee.

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Hegseth faced intense questioning from Democrats in his Armed Services Committee hearing, including regarding his previous comments related to women serving in military combat roles, and was also interrupted by protesters who disturbed the hearing at some points. …

Hegseth’s emotional opening remarks

Hegseth became emotional during his opening remarks on Tuesday morning while thanking his wife and other family members for supporting him through the nomination process.

“Thank you to my incredible wife, Jennifer, who has changed my life and been with me throughout this entire process. I love you, sweetheart, and I thank God for you,” he said, beginning to choke up.

“And as Jenny and I pray together every morning, all glory, regardless of the outcome, belongs to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” he said. …

Sen. Hirono claims Hegseth would lead a military invasion of Greenland if confirmed

Democratic Hawaii Sen. Mazie Hirono was slammed on social media Tuesday during the hearing for asking Hegseth if he would lead a military invasion of Greenland if confirmed as the secretary of defense.

“[The] President elect has attacked our allies in recent weeks, refusing to rule out using military force to take over Greenland and the Panama Canal and threatening to take to make Canada the 51st state. Would you carry out an order from President Trump to seize Greenland, a territory of our NATO ally Denmark, by force? Or would you comply with an order to take over the Panama Canal?” Hirono asked on Tuesday. …

Hegseth brushed off Hirono’s question during the hearing, saying, “Trump never strategically tips his hand.”

“I would never publicly state one way or another to direct the orders of the president,” Hegseth responded. …

🚨 BREAKING: Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) accuses Pete Hegseth of planning to use the military to take over Greenland and the Panama Canal.

Lmao.

HIRONO: Would you use the military to take over Greenland or an ally?

HEGSETH: Trump never strategically tips his hand. I would… pic.twitter.com/36a5Y88ZXv

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) January 14, 2025

Hearing erupts into protests

Hegseth’s opening remarks during the hearing were interrupted by a handful of protesters, as they shouted at the nominee about the war in Israel, and called him both a “Christian Zionist” and a “misogynist.”

“Veterans are committing suicide and are homeless, but we send money to bomb children in Gaza,” one female protester wearing fatigues shouted as she was escorted from the hearing, Fox News Digital video shows.

At least three protesters were seen being hauled out of the hearing in zipties or with their hands behind their backs.

“You are a misogynist,” one protester shouted at Hegseth. …

Hegseth repeatedly grilled on support of women in combat roles

The nominee was repeatedly grilled by senators regarding his previous comments on women serving in combat roles, including by Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand and Joni Ernst.

“You say we need moms, but not in the military, especially in combat units. So specific to Senator Cotton’s question, because Senator Cotton was giving you layups to differentiate between different types of combat. Specifically as secretary, would you take any action to reinstitute the combat arms exclusion for female service members knowing full well you have hundreds of women doing that job right now,” Gillibrand asked.

Her question referred to Hegseth’s 2024 book, which states: “Dads push us to take risks. Moms put the training wheels on our bikes. We need moms. But not in the military, especially not in combat units.”

Hegseth pushed back that his argument related to women serving in the military focuses on military standards not eroding.

“Senator, I appreciate your comments. And I would point out I’ve never disparaged women serving in the military. I respect every single female service member that has put on the uniform, past and present. My critiques, senator, recently and in the past, and from personal experience, have been instances where I’ve seen standards lowered,” he responded. …

Ernst also pressed Hegseth on what efforts he would take to combat sexual assault within the ranks, noting it is one of her top three concerns surrounding the military. …

“So, as secretary of Defense, will you appoint a senior level official dedicated to sexual assault prevention and response?” she asked.

Hegseth said that, as they had previously discussed, he would appoint an official to such a role. …

What did you think about this hearing? Share your thoughts on and prayers for Pete Hegseth below.

(Excerpt from Fox News. Photo Credit: Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America – Pete Hegseth, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=132696660)