HEGSETH’S HEARING BLUEPRINT Senate Democrats on the Armed Services Committee hounded Pete Hegseth over his past comments about women serving in combat. They hammered him on his lack of experience managing anything close to the scale of the Department of Defense. They even tried to get a rise out of him by bringing up his marriage vows. Yet Republicans left Hegseth’s confirmation hearing on Tuesday sounding even more confident the Senate would confirm him. It’s a posture that would have seemed unbelievable just weeks ago, when allegations of sexual misconduct leveled against the former Fox News personality and combat veteran threatened to doom his nomination for secretary of Defense before it officially began. Hegseth on Tuesday not only effectively coped with his tense hearing, he also laid out a blueprint of sorts for Trump’s other embattled nominees to follow: (1) Back away from past controversial statements. (2) Deny any alleged wrongdoing. (3) Sidestep questions you don’t want to answer. (4) If all else fails, blame it on a liberal media “smear campaign.” He said he would support women continuing to serve in combat roles “given the standards remain high” — a reversal from his prior stance. He insisted he believed gay people could serve in the military — another shift. He issued a blanket denial of the sexual assault allegations that have hung over his nomination and brushed aside accusations about his past alcohol consumption as “false.” And he accused the “left-wing media” of being out to “destroy me.” In doing so, Hegseth gave cover to Republicans looking for ways to back him. Armed Services Chair Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) hailed Hegseth’s hearing afterward as a “tour de force, a takedown, a triumph” that “I don’t think … could have gone any better.” Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) walked away saying he believed Hegseth “absolutely” had the votes to move forward. Gut check: Senate Majority Leader John Thune was less emphatic Tuesday, saying he had received reports that Hegseth was making a “strong argument” and that “if he’s reported out of the committee, we will work quickly to get him across the floor.” And Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) said Hegseth “is giving strong answers to tough questions. He’s confident, knowledgeable, and should be confirmed quickly.” Of course, some key Republicans are still mum on whether they’ll support Hegseth — and are airing doubts on other incoming Trump nominees. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), a key holdout, sought assurances from Hegseth about women serving in combat roles during the hearing (more on that below). Elsewhere, Sen. John Curtis (R-Utah) said at a POLITICO Live event Tuesday that he’s still undecided on Hegseth and that former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has not done enough to win his support. Other Trump picks that likely have some cleanup to do include Gabbard for director of national intelligence, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Health and Human Services secretary and Kash Patel for FBI director. Democrats will likely take their best shot at those nominees, as well. But Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) acknowledged his party’s resistance to Hegseth is likely futile. Asked whether he thought any senator left the hearing with a changed mind — or if Hegseth said anything to make him more comfortable in confirming him — Kelly seemed resigned: “No.” — Lisa Kashinsky, with assists from Ursula Perano and Jordain Carney GOOD EVENING! Welcome to Inside Congress, the play-by-play guide to all things Capitol Hill, on this Tuesday, Jan. 14, where South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem’s confirmation hearing was the latest to be postponed.
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