During a contentious Senate confirmation hearing on Tuesday, U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) faced criticism for her questioning of Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth. Duckworth repeatedly pressed Hegseth with demands for a “yes or no” answer regarding his experience leading audits, a line of questioning some found overly aggressive.
“Have you led an audit of any organization? Yes or no?” Duckworth asked, cutting off Hegseth’s attempts to elaborate on his leadership experience. After Hegseth defended his fiscal responsibility as a leader, Duckworth responded, “I will take that as a no.”
Illinois state Rep. David Friess (R-Red Bud), a veteran like Duckworth, called her behavior “shameful” and accused her of prioritizing theatrics over meaningful inquiry. “I think it is for social media,” Friess remarked. “You do this stuff to rile up your base, but it was not becoming of a U.S. Senator.”
Friess defended Hegseth, pointing out that most people, including current Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, have not managed a budget as vast as the Pentagon’s. He argued that the absence of audit experience should not disqualify Hegseth from the role.
U.S. Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) also criticized Democratic senators, accusing some of hypocrisy and poor judgment. “How many senators showed up drunk to vote at night? … You hold yourselves to this ‘higher standard’ and yet have a big plank in your eye,” Mullin stated, referencing personal scandals among lawmakers.
Friess echoed Mullin’s sentiments, adding that personal flaws should not overshadow professional qualifications. “Getting divorced disqualifies you for a job? … People drink and make mistakes, but that doesn’t make them bad people,” he said.
Hegseth, who has faced scrutiny over his personal history, addressed concerns about alcohol use by committing to abstain if confirmed. “I will not drink because I don’t know when I am going to get that phone call,” he stated.
Friess contrasted Hegseth’s commitment to readiness with what he described as poor judgment by current Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. He criticized Austin for disappearing from public duties while undergoing treatment for prostate cancer. “That was shameful and honestly disqualified him. As Secretary of Defense, you don’t check out … and don’t tell anyone where you’re at,” Friess argued.
Hegseth also faced tough questions about his views on women in combat roles. While affirming that women have an important place in the military, he testified that he does not support their inclusion in certain units, such as special operations, infantry, artillery, and armor.
The hearing highlighted deep divisions in the Senate over Hegseth’s nomination, with Republican lawmakers rallying to his defense against what they described as partisan attacks. The debate underscores broader tensions over qualifications and leadership standards in the nation’s defense apparatus.
