HOT TOPICS | Pete Hegseth Faces Confirmation Hearing - January 14th, 2025
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How does Pete Hegseth open his confirmation hearing and respond to early interruptions?
Good morning, everyone. It is top of the hour. This is Hot Topics. What you're watching now playing out is a normalization of something that we should not even try to normalize in this society. But we'll see what happens. If you've been listening to these hearings and listening to the responses from the senators, one would have to wonder how on earth are they going to confirm this? this man but they will try and this is playing out in washington dc right now as we are watching the fires in california new developments there and as we're watching a scathing the scathing report that was released from special former special prosecutor jack smith who just resigned two days ago that says donald trump would be convicted and probably go to jail if he were not president or elected president of the united states
Meantime, let's listen now to the hearings in Washington, D.C. for Pete Hegseth's potential confirmation as a defense secretary. Let's listen in. We'll be back. For the next few years. Thank you both. Our two guests may stay or I know they have other questions. engagements and responsibilities also. But thank you both for your testimony. At this point, Mr Hexeth, I'm required to ask you as a nominee a series of questions that the committee asks all civilian nominees who appear before it. If you would please simply respond in the affirmative or negative to each question. Have you adhered to applicable laws and regulations governing conflicts of interest? Yes, sir. Have you assumed any duties or taken any actions that would appear to presume the outcome of the confirmation process?
No, sir. Exercising our legislative and oversight responsibilities makes it important that this committee, its subcommittees, and other appropriate committees of Congress receive testimony, briefings, reports, records, and other information from the executive branch on a timely basis. Do you agree if confirmed to appear and testify before this committee when requested? Yes, sir. Do you agree to provide records, documents, and electronic communications in a timely manner when requested by this committee, its subcommittees, or other appropriate committees of Congress, and to consult with the requester regarding the basis for any good faith delay or denial in providing such records? Yes, sir. Will you ensure that your staff complies with deadlines established by this committee for the production of reports, records, and other information, including timely responding to hearing questions for the record?
Yes, sir. Will you cooperate in providing witnesses and briefers in response to congressional requests? Yes, sir. Will those witnesses and briefers be protected from reprisal for their testimony or briefings? Yes, sir. All right. So at this point, Mr. Hegseth, you will recognize for your opening statement. Well, thank you, Chairman Wicker, Ranking Member Reed, and all the members of this committee for this opportunity today. I'm grateful for and have learned a great deal from this advice and consent process. Our founders knew what they were doing. Should I be confirmed, I look forward to working with this committee, senators from both parties, to secure our nation. I want to thank the former senator from Minnesota, Norm Coleman, for his mentorship and friendship in this process.
And the incoming National Security Advisor, Congressman, and more importantly for our purposes, Colonel Mike Walz for his powerful words. I'm grateful to them both. Thank you to my incredible wife, Jennifer. who has changed my life and been with me throughout this entire process. I love you, sweetheart, and I thank God for you. And as Jenny and I pray together every morning, all glory, regardless of the outcome, belongs to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His grace and mercy abounds each day. May his will be done. Thank you to my father, Brian, and mother, Penny, as well as our entire family, including our seven wonderful kids, Gunner, Jackson, Peter Boone, Kensington, Luke, Rex, sorry, it's a lot of them, and Gwendolyn.
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Chapters
6 chapters
1
How does Pete Hegseth open his confirmation hearing and respond to early interruptions?
0:14–19:17
2
What are Hegseth's priorities for the Pentagon and stance on 'warrior culture'?
19:17–2:05:31
3
Did Hegseth say Ukraine will be deprioritized in favor of the Indo‑Pacific?
2:05:31–2:08:00
4
How did senators question Hegseth's views on women in combat and workplace conduct?
2:08:00–2:12:21
5
What plans did Hegseth propose for accountability, recruitment, and reversing DEI in the military?
2:12:21–2:21:36
6
How did the hearing conclude and what reactions followed about confirmation prospects?
2:21:36–3:55:00