Lisa Murkowski says she can’t confirm Pete Hegseth as defense secretary

Late. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, said Thursday that she cannot support Pete Hegseth to be President Donald Trump’s defense secretary.

“Given the global security environment in which we operate, it is imperative that we confirm a Secretary of Defense, but I regret that I am unable to support Mr. Hegseth,” she concluded in a lengthy statement sent to X.

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In his reasoning, Murkowski cited infidelity, “accusations of sexual assault and excessive drinking” and Hegseth’s past comments about women serving in the military.

The behavior that he has admitted to alone, she said, shows “a lack of judgment that is inappropriate for someone who would lead our armed forces.”

While Hegseth has admitted past infidelities, he has denied claims of excessive drinking and sexual assault.

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The Alaska Republican noted that she met with Hegseth “and carefully reviewed his writings, various reports and other relevant material.”

Further, Murkowski said she “closely followed his hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee and gathered significant feedback from organizations, veterans and Alaskans.”

But after a thorough evaluation, I must conclude that I cannot in good conscience support his nomination as Minister of Defence, she said.

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Over the past few days, Hegseth’s nomination has come under fresh pressure with the revelation of a statement from his former sister-in-law alleging that he caused his ex-wife Samantha Hegseth to fear for her safety. In addition, a familiar source told Fox News that Samantha had given a new statement to the FBI, which alleged that “Pete Hegseth has had and continues to have a problem with alcohol abuse.”

Hegseth maintained his denial of any allegations of alcohol, physical or sexual abuse.

Other GOP senators who have yet to take a public position on Hegseth include Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and former GOP Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.

Collins told reporters Thursday, “I will be releasing a statement soon.”

Asked whether he supported Hegseth, Sen. Thom Tillis, RN.C., told reporters, “I’ve told you, I’m going to say the same thing. So make sure you take notes this time. I’m doing due diligence ” on the most recent statement to conclude whether there is an eyewitness first-hand account that has been corroborated.”

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Hegseth will need a simple majority in the Senate to vote for him to be confirmed. With the Republican majority at 53 seats, he can only afford to lose a handful of the conference. If there is a tie, newly sworn-in Vice President JD Vance shall cast the tie-breaking vote.

The move to oppose Hegseth’s confirmation was not unexpected from Murkowski, who has earned a reputation for occasionally bashing his party.

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Fox News was recently told that it was possible that Hegseth’s confirmation would require Vance’s tie vote. In particular, Fox News was asked to watch McConnell, Collins and Murkowski on the key confirmation vote.

If McConnell and Collins join Murkowski in voting no, Vance will have to come to the Capitol to break the tie and confirm Hegseth as defense secretary.

No vice president had ever broken the tie to confirm a cabinet secretary until former Vice President Pence did so to confirm Betsy DeVos as Secretary of Education on February 7, 2017. Pence also broke ties to confirm former Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS) as ambassador for religious freedom in 2018. He also broke the tie to confirm current Budget Director nominee Russ Vought as Deputy Budget Director in 2018.