Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska; announced In a social media post on Tuesday, he announced he would vote against President Donald Trump. Shameful nomination of Secretary of DefensePete Hegseth.
The move makes Murkowski the first Republican to publicly say she opposes Trump’s Cabinet picks. probably It is still expected to be confirmed during Friday’s vote.
In a lengthy statement, Mukavsky addressed Hegseth’s “allegations of sexual assault and excessive drinking.” denieda “ceremonial contract” with what is expected of the person tasked with leading the Pentagon. She also expressed concern about Hegseth. past comments Although she argued that women did not belong in combat roles, she tried to backtrack on this idea during her Senate confirmation hearing.
“After a thorough evaluation, I must conclude that I cannot in good conscience support his nomination as Secretary of Defense. I have not made this decision lightly; I have taken it with the utmost seriousness. “We have a constitutional responsibility to provide advice and consent,” she said. I wrote.
“Mr. Hegseth’s admitted past conduct, including multiple extramarital affairs, demonstrates a lack of judgment,” Murkowski continued. “…these actions stand in sharp contrast to the values and discipline expected of military personnel. Men and women in uniform are responsible for such actions and deserve leaders who hold them to the same standards. is.”
Opposing Hegseth’s nomination along with Mukovsky are: senator susan collinsa Maine Republican. On Thursday, during a procedural vote to advance the nomination, Collins voted against doing so, With Murkowski. The remaining Senate Republicans voted 51-49 to move forward with Hegseth’s confirmation.
Unfortunately, the votes of two Republicans alone will not be enough to block Hegseth’s confirmation, assuming all Democrats oppose his nomination.
It is somewhat noteworthy that Mr. Collins now appears to be opposing Mr. Hegseth’s nomination, just one day after releasing the latest report on Mr. Hegseth’s alleged abusive behavior.troublesome”
Collins was referring to affidavit From Hegseth’s former sister-in-law, Danielle Hegseth. In it, Daniel said that Hegseth drank so much alcohol that he “fainted, vomited, had to be carried out of family functions and public places, and at times yelled sexually and racially offensive remarks.” He claimed that he had abused it.
Hegseth also engaged in threatening behavior toward his second wife, Samantha Hegseth, and would text a “safe word” to friends and family in case she needed help. He also said that he even devised an “escape plan” such as: Daniel has also made racist and sexist statements, including that women shouldn’t vote or work and that Christians need to “outbreed” the growing Muslim population. criticized Hegseth.
in statement Speaking to NBC News, Samantha denied any physical abuse in her marriage to Hegseth, and Hegseth’s attorney also denied the latest charges.
Hegseth appeared to have skated the toughest hurdle last week. his confirmation hearing Where his Republican allies are primarily I asked him a softball question.. After the hearing, Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, said: expressed skepticism He said this in response to Hegseth’s bid. she will support him now.
But these new reports about Hegseth’s actions come as the Senate prepares for a crucial vote to advance his nomination.
Indeed, even the latest allegations, no matter how egregious, are not enough to sway many of President Trump’s Republicans. Not only will it help pave the way for a final confirmation vote; Sen. Eric Schmidt, R-Missouri, suggested that Democrats may be colluding with Mr. Hegseth’s opponents to block his candidacy.
“It’s hopeless. This is a sad attempt by Democrats to oust reformers,” Schmidt said. politiko.
Notably, these are not the only allegations that could sink Hegseth’s plans to lead the Pentagon. In 2017 he be accused of rapebut he maintain The encounter was consensual.
Additionally, his former colleagues at Fox News reported that she accused him of “groping” her in a drunken state, accusing him of groping her “butt” while the two were in New York. . NPR.
The majority of Americans are already saying they don’t want A cabinet full of drunks and abusers. But somehow the Republicans, with the exception of Murkowski and maybe Collins, are able to put up with it.
campaign action
