In a fiery Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) challenged Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense, with questions focusing on ethics and post-tenure employment.

Pete Hegseth speaks during a Senate Armed Services committee hearing on his expected nomination to be Secretary of Defense on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025 in Washington, D.C.

Warren’s attempts to corner Hegseth during the hearing led to sharp exchanges that highlighted the polarizing nature of his nomination.

Warren, known for her direct questioning, pressed Hegseth to commit to a ten-year moratorium on working for the defense industry after leaving his role. “Will you agree, when you leave the Defense Department, you won’t work for the defense industry for 10 years?” she asked.

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Hegseth, maintaining his composure, replied, “It’s not even something I’ve thought about.”

Jan 14, 2025; Washington, DC, USA; Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., delivers remarks during a Senate Armed Services committee hearing on the expected nomination of Pete Hegseth to be Secretary of Defense on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025 in Washington, DC. Mandatory Credit: Jack Gruber-USA TODAY

Unwilling to accept the response, Warren insisted on a direct answer. “I just need a yes or no here. Time is short,” she said, cutting off Hegseth’s attempts to elaborate.

He responded, “I would consult with the President about what the policy should be at the Defense Department.” Warren escalated the exchange, drawing a comparison to military leadership. “So every general should wait 10 years, but not you?” she asked.

Hegseth, unfazed, delivered a sharp retort that drew laughter from the room. “I’m not a general, Senator,” he replied, leaving Warren visibly frustrated.

Jan 14, 2025; Washington, DC, USA; Pete Hegseth laughs during a Senate Armed Services committee hearing on his expected nomination to be Secretary of Defense on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025,, in Washington, DC. Mandatory Credit: Jack Gruber-USA TODAY

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Despite the heated exchange, Republican senators have largely supported Hegseth’s nomination.

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However, the hearing was interrupted three times by protesters who were swiftly removed.

Hegseth, a former officer in the Army National Guard and television personality, has a decorated military career.

He graduated from Princeton University in 2003 and later earned a Master of Public Policy from Harvard University.

His service included deployments to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Iraq, and Afghanistan, where he earned two Bronze Stars and two Army Commendation Medals.

After his military career, Hegseth became a prominent conservative commentator, co-hosting Fox & Friends Weekend from 2017 to 2024.

His nomination by President-elect Trump in November has divided opinions in Washington.

Critics, particularly from the Democratic Party, have raised concerns about past allegations against Hegseth, including accusations of sexual misconduct and excessive drinking—claims he has denied.

Hegseth addressed these allegations during the hearing, calling them part of a coordinated effort by media outlets to derail his nomination.

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“False attacks, anonymous attacks, repeated ad nauseam, printed ad nauseam as facts,” he said.

“We have provided… on-the-record statement after on-the-record statement from people who have served with me, worked with me at Fox News, Concerned Vets, Vets for Freedom, you name it. From the top of the chain to the bottom, from people who say I treat them with respect, with kindness, with dignity.”

Hegseth dismissed the accusations as a “smear campaign” orchestrated by publications such as The New York Times and The New Yorker.

He accused the media of targeting him because of his alignment with Trump’s vision for the Defense Department. “I’m willing to endure these attacks,” he said, emphasizing his commitment to truth and reputation.

Hegseth concluded his remarks by acknowledging his faith and personal growth. “I’m not a perfect person, as has been acknowledged. Saved by the grace of God, by Jesus and Jenny,” he said, referring to his wife. The comment prompted light laughter from the audience. “But redemption is real, and God forged me in ways I know I’m prepared for.”

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As the Senate deliberates his nomination, the contentious hearing underscores the deep partisan divide over Hegseth’s suitability for the role of Secretary of Defense.

While his supporters point to his military service and leadership experience, his critics remain focused on the controversies surrounding his candidacy.

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