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Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025

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Pete Hegseth's only qualification for defense secretary is fealty to Trump

By Jeff McCausland

Much of the opposition to former Fox News host Pete Hegseth, whom President-elect Donald Trump has nominated to serve as Secretary of Defense, has centered on allegations that he's abused women and alcohol. Hegseth has denied mistreating women and denied a woman's allegation that he sexually assaulted her in a California hotel room in 2017 and he was never charged in the case. He reached a confidential settlement with his accuser last year. Though he's denied reports that he had a drinking problem that his co-workers noticed, he's promised that he is "not going to have a drink at all" if he is confirmed as secretary of defense.

Hegseth should not be confirmed as Secretary of Defense. He would be a poor choice even if every allegation related to him harming women and abusing alcohol were proved false. The Senate Armed Services Committee will consider his nomination Tuesday, and if the senators who will exercise their "advice and consent" authority think deeply about their responsibilities, they will realize he is far from qualified for this role — and that putting him in charge could pose a threat to our national security.

This is a preview of Jeff McCausland's latest article. Read the full column here.

Get live updates and analysis on Pete Hegseth's confirmation hearing today on MSNBC's live blog.

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