Sneering Pete Hegseth Immediately Torn Apart in Confirmation Showdown

Pete Hegseth sneered after Sen. Jack Reed ripped him apart during introductions for his much-anticipated Senate confirmation hearing.

The former Fox News commentator and U.S. Army veteran was called out as grossly disqualified by Reed, who unleashed a laundry list of reasons why the 44-year-old should not be anywhere near the Pentagon as Donald Trump’s defense secretary.

“Mr. Hegseth, I do not believe that you are qualified to meet the overwhelming demands of this job,” he said. “We must acknowledge the concerning public reports against you. A variety of sources, including your own writings, implicate you with disregarding the laws of war, financial mismanagement, racist and sexist remarks about men and women in uniform, alcohol abuse, sexual assault, and other troubling issues. I have reviewed many of these allegations and find them extremely alarming.”

"Mr. Hegseth, I do not believe you're qualified for this job."

Sen. Jack Reed addresses Pete Hegseth at his Senate confirmation hearing. pic.twitter.com/5DMwHgBIt2

— MSNBC (@MSNBC) January 14, 2025

Reed proceeded to go into detail on each point, hammering home that someone who has spent so much time admonishing Democrats should not be entrusted to lead the defense of all Americans. 

The Rhode Island senator quoted from Hegseth’s book, American Crusade: Our Fight to Stay Free, where the Trump appointee wrote “the modern Democratic Party literally hates the foundational ideas of America” and that the “the left is not our friend.”

Such division is unacceptable in the top ranks of the U.S. military, Reed said. 

“You would lead an organization that, like the country it represents, is composed of Democrats and Republicans, yet your language suggests that you will regard many of these men and women as foes,” Reed said. 

Reed, a ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, also brought up allegations of financial mismanagement against Hegseth from when he managed two organizations from 2008 to 2016. He cited a report that claimed Hegseth exceeded his budget at a nonprofit that ultimately folded under his leadership. He suggested a similar failure at the Pentagon, which has a budget of nearly $900 billion, could be catastrophic.

Sen. Jack Reed: "I do not believe you are qualified to meet the overwhelming demands of this job. We must acknowledge the concerning public reports... the totality of your own writings & alleged conduct would disqualify any service member form holding any leadership position ..." pic.twitter.com/WyURc8KUPg

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 14, 2025

“I’m also concerned about your abilities as a competent manager of organizations far less complex than the Department of Defense,” he said.

Finances aside, Reed said Hegseth’s personal behavior—reportedly filled with “excessive drinking” and philandering—disqualified him from being defense secretary. 

“Just as troubling are reports that a significant amount of debt was incurred from social events and parties filled with excessive drinking and questionable personal behavior,” he said.

Before closing, Reed added: “Unfortunately, you lack the character, closure, and confidence to hold the position of secretary of defense. Thank you.”

Hegseth’s sneer during the grilling was not a surprise to his former colleagues at Fox News on Fox & Friends. 

“I predict that you’re going to see the Pete smile that he gives—you know the little smirk that he gives when they try to go after him,” Lawrence Jones said earlier on Tuesday.