Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska has announced her intention to vote against President Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth.
This decision positions Murkowski as the first RINO senator to oppose a Trump Cabinet pick.
Murkowski’s opposition centers on concerns regarding Hegseth’s past conduct and views. She highlighted his acknowledged infidelities and previous statements opposing women in combat roles as factors influencing her decision.
In a statement, Murkowski emphasized that such behaviors “starkly contrast the values and discipline expected of servicemembers.”
The RINO senator wrote on X:
Since Mr. Hegseth’s nomination last November, I have met with him and carefully reviewed his writings, various reports, and other pertinent materials. I closely followed his hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee and gathered substantial feedback from organizations, veterans, and Alaskans.
After thorough evaluation, I must conclude that I cannot in good conscience support his nomination for Secretary of Defense. I did not make this decision lightly; I take my constitutional responsibility to provide advice and consent with the utmost seriousness.
I commend Pete Hegseth’s service to our nation, including leading troops in combat and advocating for our veterans. However, these accomplishments do not alleviate my significant concerns regarding his nomination.
Managing the Department of Defense requires vast experience and expertise as the department is one of the most complex and powerful organizations in the world, and Mr. Hegseth’s prior roles in his career do not demonstrate to me that he is prepared for such immense responsibility. His leadership of two veteran organizations was marked with accusations of financial mismanagement and problems with the workplace culture he fostered.
Although he has recently revised his statements on women in combat since being nominated, I remain concerned about the message that confirming Mr. Hegseth sends to women currently serving and those aspiring to join.
Women have served our nation with distinction, overcoming immense obstacles to excel in combat and leadership roles, and they deserve to know that their leader honors and values their commitment to our nation.
While the allegations of sexual assault and excessive drinking do nothing to quiet my concerns, the past behaviors Mr. Hegseth has admitted to, including infidelity on multiple occasions, demonstrate a lack of judgment that is unbecoming of someone who would lead our armed forces.
These behaviors starkly contrast the values and discipline expected of servicemembers. Men and women in uniform are held accountable for such actions, and they deserve leaders who uphold these same standards.
Above all, I believe that character is the defining trait required of the Secretary of Defense, and must be prioritized without compromise.
The leader of the Department of Defense must demonstrate and model the standards of behavior and character we expect of all servicemembers, and Mr. Hegseth’s nomination to the role poses significant concerns that I cannot overlook.
Given the global security environment we’re operating in, it is critical that we confirm a Secretary of Defense, however, I regret that I am unable to support Mr. Hegseth.
Since Mr. Hegseth’s nomination last November, I have met with him and carefully reviewed his writings, various reports, and other pertinent materials. I closely followed his hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee and gathered substantial feedback from organizations,…
— Sen. Lisa Murkowski (@lisamurkowski) January 23, 2025
According to Fox News reporter Chad Pergram, in addition to Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Republican Senators Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and Susan Collins of Maine may also oppose Pete Hegseth for Defense Secretary, potentially requiring Vice President JD Vance to cast the tie-breaking vote.
For those who wish to respectfully share their opinions on this matter, you can contact Senator Lisa Murkowski’s office at (202) 224-6665, Senator Mitch McConnell at (202) 224-2541, and Senator Susan Collins at (202) 224-2523.
The Gateway Pundit previously reported that the Senate Armed Services Committee voted to advance Pete Hegseth’s nomination to a full senate floor vote.
Senators can vote as early as Thursday to confirm Hegseth.
However, an affidavit from Hegseth’s former sister-in-law, Danielle Hegseth, alleging “instances of abuse” and “mistreatment of a former spouse” involving Hegseth’s second wife, Samantha Hegseth, was submitted to senators.
Samantha Hegseth responded to the allegations via email, according to NBC News: “First and foremost, I have not and will not comment on my marriage to Pete Hegseth. I do not have representatives speaking on my behalf, nor have I ever asked anyone to share or speak about the details of my marriage on my behalf, whether it be a reporter, a committee member, a transition team member, etc.”
Samantha Hegseth added, “I do not believe your information to be accurate, and I have cc’d my lawyer.”
“There was no physical abuse in my marriage. This is the only further statement I will make to you, I have let you know that I am not speaking and will not speak on my marriage to Pete. Please respect this decision.”
Tim Parlatore, an attorney for Pete Hegseth, blasted Danielle Hegseth for her false allegations.
“Sam has never alleged that there was any abuse, she signed court documents acknowledging that there was no abuse and recently reaffirmed the same during her FBI interview. Belated claims by Danielle Dietrich, an anti-Trump far left Democrat who is divorced from Mr. Hegseth’s brother and never got along with the Hegseth family, do nothing to change that,” Tim Parlatore said in a statement to NBC News.
This is a developing story.
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