Eric Schmitt

That is the focus that they have, which goes on for several senators.

That is the focus that they have, which goes on for several senators.

So another main area of questioning for the Democrats is just Mr. Hegseth's qualifications for the job. And this is where Democrats really leaned in, as if they were treating Hegseth to a job interview.

So another main area of questioning for the Democrats is just Mr. Hegseth's qualifications for the job. And this is where Democrats really leaned in, as if they were treating Hegseth to a job interview.

Senators like Tim Kaine and Mark Kelly zero in on Hegseth's conduct. They asked him about extramarital affairs that he has acknowledged he's had.

Senators like Tim Kaine and Mark Kelly zero in on Hegseth's conduct. They asked him about extramarital affairs that he has acknowledged he's had.

They asked him about allegations of sexual assault.

They asked him about allegations of sexual assault.

He asked him about reports of his excessive drinking.

He asked him about reports of his excessive drinking.

All of which is to say, you know, with this kind of background, you know, how in the world can we, you know, endorse you as the head of the Defense Department?

All of which is to say, you know, with this kind of background, you know, how in the world can we, you know, endorse you as the head of the Defense Department?

And in fact, Gary Peters, one of the senators from Michigan, basically... equated the Senate, at least the committee here, as a board of directors. And they're kind of grilling Hexeth on his limited job experiences.

And in fact, Gary Peters, one of the senators from Michigan, basically... equated the Senate, at least the committee here, as a board of directors. And they're kind of grilling Hexeth on his limited job experiences.

And Peters in particular says, you got to be kidding me.

And Peters in particular says, you got to be kidding me.

You wouldn't be hired as a CEO of one of the biggest companies in the country. And that's basically what the Pentagon is. You're basically being hired as the CEO of the Defense Department.

You wouldn't be hired as a CEO of one of the biggest companies in the country. And that's basically what the Pentagon is. You're basically being hired as the CEO of the Defense Department.

In response to all this, the Republicans kind of turned the idea of job qualifications inside out.

In response to all this, the Republicans kind of turned the idea of job qualifications inside out.