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2 days ago

Pete Hegseth’s fiery confirmation hearing ends with GOP signaling approval: Live Updates

President-elect’s controversial pick for secretary of defense faced tough questions about his past from senators as he made case to lead Pentagon

Oliver O'Connell,Joe Sommerlad
Wednesday 15 January 2025 03:00 GMT
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Trump defense pick Pete Hegseth heckled by protesters at Senate confirmation

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Ex-Fox News host Pete Hegseth called for the return of “American warriors” in his opening statement as he is grilled by the Senate ahead of his likely confirmation as Defense Secretary.

The 44-year-old veteran faced questions about his lack of management experience, his alleged heavy drinking, as well as his previous opposition to women serving in combat roles in the military.

When asked about accusations that he sexually assaulted a woman in a California hotel room in 2017 — something he has denied — he blamed a “smear campaign” propagated by “left-wing” media and based on anonymous sources.

“We are not Republicans or Democrats — we are American warriors. Our standards will be high, and they will be equal,” he told the bipartisan panel of senators in his opening statement.

His confirmation hearing comes hours after President-elect Donald Trump blasted special counsel Jack Smith over a landmark report that found Trump tried to criminally overturn the 2020 election.

Smith said Trump “inspired his supporters to commit acts of physical violence” in the January 6 Capitol riot and knowingly spread a false narrative about fraud in the 2020 election.

2 days ago

Why did Trump pick Hegseth as his nominee for defense?

Alex Woodward reports.

Why Trump nominated a ‘wholly unqualified’ Fox News host for defense secretary

Veterans groups and service members are warning against Trump’s ‘dangerous’ appointment to the Pentagon, as the president-elect rewards loyalists dedicated to his agenda, Alex Woodward reports

Oliver O'Connell14 January 2025 20:10
2 days ago

Watch: Thune says Hegseth ‘acquitted himself extremely well'

Oliver O'Connell14 January 2025 20:00
2 days ago

Watch: Hegseth challenged over waterboarding

Oliver O'Connell14 January 2025 19:50
2 days ago

Musk, Bezos and Zuckerberg to attend Trump’s inauguration together

Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Jeff Bezos will sit together with President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet nominees and elected officials at his Monday inauguration, an official involved in the planning told NBC News.

All three have been trying to get into Trump’s good books within the past year, with Musk donating hundreds of millions of dollars to help Trump win the 2024 election.

Gustaf Kilander reports.

Musk, Bezos and Zuckerberg to attend Trump’s inauguration together

Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Jeff Bezos will sit together with President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet nominees and elected officials at his Monday inauguration, an official involved in the planning told NBC News.

Oliver O'Connell14 January 2025 19:30
2 days ago

COMMENT: Teflon Trump has dodged justice – it’s time for the rest of us to get on board

Jon Sopel writes:

Who doesn’t love a proper bombshell report? And the report from the special counsel, Jack Smith, into Donald Trump’s attempt to illegally steal the 2020 election is utterly devastating – and will surely land with a thud.

Except it won’t. There will barely be a murmur. There will be the faintest of ripples. It will create a crater no bigger than a measly British pothole.

Read on...

Teflon Don has dodged justice – it’s time for the rest of us to get on board

As eviscerating as the report from former Department of Justice prosecutor Jack Smith is, it is no surprise that the president-elect has emerged unscathed, writes Jon Sopel. Denying his mandate now won’t help anyone – least of all America

Oliver O'Connell14 January 2025 19:10
2 days ago

Squirmy Pete Hegseth shredded by Senator Tim Kaine for cheating on the ‘mother’ of his child

During a wild and tense exchange on Tuesday, Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) spent nearly 10 minutes hammering an evasive Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth for cheating on his past wives and engaging in drunken behavior on the job.

Tuesday’s chaotic confirmation hearing came amid allegations that Hegseth sexually assaulted a woman in 2017. The former Fox News star has repeatedly denied the accusations and claimed he’s been “completely cleared,” insisting at the top of the hearing that the allegations were part of a “coordinated smear campaign” by the “left-wing media” who wants to “destroy” him.

Justin Barangoa reports.

Squirmy Pete Hegseth shredded by Tim Kaine for cheating on ‘mother’ of his child

Sen. Tim Kaine forcefully attacked Pete Hegseth’s character during a chaotic confirmation hearing on Tuesday

Oliver O'Connell14 January 2025 19:02
2 days ago

Watch: Gillibrand says she doesn’t believe Hegseth can change how he sees women

Oliver O'Connell14 January 2025 18:50
2 days ago

Hegseth confirmation hearing adjourns

Pete Hegseth’s confirmation hearing adjourns after four hours and fifteen minutes.

Pete Hegseth, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be secretary of defense, testifies as part of his confirmation process
Pete Hegseth, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be secretary of defense, testifies as part of his confirmation process (REUTERS)
Oliver O'Connell14 January 2025 18:47
2 days ago

Slotkin and Hegseth clash over illegal orders

Hegseth refuses to answer questions from Senator Elissa Slotkin as to whether he would or would not follow orders from Donald Trump that violate the U.S. Constitution.

Oliver O'Connell14 January 2025 18:42
2 days ago

These are the top bets for Trump’s inauguration

Betters have already made wagers on what Donald Trump’s inauguration is going to look and sound like - including on what words he’ll use and whether he will end a war before even taking office.

A study by Casino Reports analyzed the top 10 events, by dollar amount, that people are betting on using prediction market platforms Polymarket and Kalshi and related to Trump’s inauguration. Only bets due to be resolved on or around January 20 were considered in the study.

Kelly Rissman reports.

These are the top bets for Trump’s inauguration - including if he’ll say ‘McDonald’s’

Bettors poured over $1 million on the certain words and phrases they believe Donald Trump will use in his speech

Oliver O'Connell14 January 2025 18:38

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