Senate Armed Services chairman hopes to confirm Hegseth on Inauguration Day, sets hearing

The Senate Armed Services Committee will hold a confirmation hearing for Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth on Jan. 14.

Sen. Roger Wicker, Mississippi Republican, hopes that timeline will allow the committee to quickly advance Mr. Hegseth’s nomination so that his confirmation vote can occur on Inauguration Day, Jan. 20.

“We owe the president-elect a vote in time to get his major appointments confirmed,” he told The Washington Times.

As of now, Mr. Hegseth will be the sole witness at the Jan. 14 confirmation hearing, Mr. Wicker said. But he said there could be an effort to accommodate additional character witnesses if requested.

“I’m sure the first day will be Mr. Hegseth almost entirely,” Mr. Wicker said, noting he “wouldn’t be surprised” if the hearing stretches into multiple days.

Mr. Hegseth posted a series of “thank you” messages on X in response to the news of his scheduled confirmation hearing.

He thanked President-elect Donald Trump for the opportunity, the Republican senators who, along with Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, hosted him for “over 50 thoughtful meetings” and “all the military, veterans & their families” who’ve had his back.

“And all glory to God,” Mr. Hegseth said. “See you January 14.”

Two weeks ago it was unclear whether Mr. Hegseth would make it that far in the confirmation process after reports that Mr. Trump was considering replacing him amid a series of misconduct allegations coming out in the media.

But Mr. Hegseth denied the charges and fought back with his own side of the story, holding off any outright Republican opposition even as several senators have yet to commit to backing him.