(Adnkronos) – One week after Donald Trump’s inauguration, the Senate will begin confirmation hearings this week for ministers appointed by the president-elect for the next administration. And the first to appear before the Armed Forces Committee tomorrow will be Pete Hegseth, the former Fox News host whose appointment as head of the Pentagon has drawn criticism for his views close to the Christian far right, but especially for the accusations that have been made against him in the past of sexual assault and alcohol problems.
In the weeks following his appointment, which took place on Sept. 12, Hegseth appeared to be on the verge of being forced to resign, and there were even rumors of Trump contacting possible replacements. But then, thanks in part to the solid support of the Maga base for the former National Guard officer who sports a series of tattoos with symbols dear to the American far right, Trump’s team put enormous pressure on the various Republican senators who had expressed doubts about his appointment.
In particular, Joni Ernest, one of the 14 Republican members of the committee, a war veteran, a supporter of women in combat roles – something Hegseth has criticized in the past – and above all a declared victim of sexual assault. The Republican met twice with Hegseth in December but did not commit to voting for him, saying she wanted to hear “the truth in a hearing and not based on anonymous sources.”
Considering that the Democrats – who, along with their Republican colleagues in recent days received a briefing on the FBI’s vetting of the ministerial candidate – will strongly oppose the appointment of the former TV host, Ernest’s position will be crucial.
Also scheduled for tomorrow are hearings for Doug Collins, nominated to head the Department of Veterans Affairs, and Doug Burgum, nominated as Interior Secretary, but Wednesday will begin the vetting of another controversial Trump appointment, that of South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem as Secretary of Homeland Security, from where the ultra-conservative will carry forward the war on migrants promised by the tycoon. A Trump loyalist, Noem had for months been considered at the top of the list of possible vice presidential candidates, before she herself sparked the scandal that scuttled that possibility by recounting in her book that she had killed a 14-month-old puppy, Cricket, because he appeared unruly as a hunting dog.
Also on Wednesday, hearings will begin for Pam Bondi, appointed attorney general after Trump’s first choice, former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, was forced to withdraw after being accused, during a congressional investigation, of paying for parties with underage girls, drugs and alcohol. Among the other ministers appointed, after tomorrow it will also be the turn of Marco Rubio, the Florida senator chosen by Trump as secretary of state, who will appear before the Foreign Relations Committee, and John Ratcliffe, nominated CIA director who will answer questions from the Intelligence Committee.
