Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, said on Thursday she can’t support Pete Hegseth to be President Donald Trump’s secretary of Defense.
“Given the global security environment we’re operating in, it is critical that we confirm a Secretary of Defense, however, I regret that I am unable to support Mr. Hegseth,” she concluded in a lengthy statement posted to X.
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In her reasoning, Murkowski cited infidelity, “allegations of sexual assault and excessive drinking” and Hegseth’s previous comments on women serving in the military.
The behaviors that he has admitted to alone, she said, show “a lack of judgment that is unbecoming of someone who would lead our armed forces.”
While Hegseth has admitted to past infidelity, he has denied claims of excessive drinking and sexual assault.
The Alaska Republican noted that she met with Hegseth “and carefully reviewed his writings, various reports, and other pertinent materials.”
Further, Murkowski said she “closely followed his hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee and gathered substantial feedback from organizations, veterans, and Alaskans.”
However, “After thorough evaluation, I must conclude that I cannot in good conscience support his nomination for Secretary of Defense,” she said.
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 on Thursday, “I’ll be releasing a statement shortly.”
Hegseth will need a simple majority of the Senate to vote in his favor in order to be confirmed. With the Republicans’ 53-seat majority, he can only afford to lose a handful of the conference. If there is a tie, newly sworn in Vice President JD Vance will be needed to cast the tiebreaking vote.
