Republican Senator Eric Schmitt of Missouri attacked Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies during Defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth's confirmation hearing while using a misspelled sign.
Newsweek called Schmitt's D.C. office for comment on Tuesday evening.
Why It Matters
Hegseth's selection by President-elect Donald Trump to lead the Department of Defense was met with backlash as concerns of alleged misconduct, including intoxication in the workplace and sexual assault. Hegseth has denied the accusations and has made assurances that if nominated, he would not drink.
Hegseth has also faced criticism for his past comments about women in the military, including that women should not be in combat roles. He clarified his comments in part, saying in December, "Some of our greatest warriors, our best warriors, are women who served, raised their right hand to serve this country and love our nation and want to defend that flag, and they do it every single day around the globe."
What To Know
In Tuesday's Senate confirmation hearing, Schmitt called DEI initiatives "poison" and said, "It has no business whatsoever in our military."
Schmitt said that the American people are "tired of this woke ideology." A notably misspelled sign about DEI initiatives in the military appeared behind him, saying, "DEI in our Miltary."
What People Are Saying
Pete Hegseth, in response to Schmitt's comments during his confirmation hearing: "First and foremost up front, you have to tear out DEI and CRT initiatives root and branch out of institutions. And then, you have to put in Army, Navy, and Air Force secretaries and other civilian positions at the helm who are committed to the same priorities that the President of the United States is, and if confirmed, the secretary of Defense will be."
Senator Tim Kaine, a Virginia Democrat, reacted to the sign on X, formerly Twitter: "GOP members complaining about reduction of military standards while using a chart that misspells the word military!"
Senator Eric Schmitt, on X after the hearing: "The Biden Administration focused on wokeness in our armed forces. @PeteHegseth will root out DEI policies to make sure we once again focus on lethality and preparedness."
Senator Mazie Hirono, a Hawaii Democrat, on X: "I asked Pete Hegseth if he's ever committed any sexual assault or entered into a settlement related to this kind of conduct. Rather than tell the whole truth, he hid behind lies and made excuses. Sexual misconduct has no place anywhere in our Armed Forces, let alone at the top."
Senator Mark Kelly, an Arizona Democrat, on X: "I asked Pete Hegseth if any of the answers he gave today about the numerous allegations made against him would have been different if he were under oath. He didn't answer."
What Happens Next
Other Trump nominees have confirmation hearings this week ahead of Trump's Inauguration on January 20 at the U.S. Capitol.
English (US) ·