Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, sent a 33-page letter to Defense Secretary-designate Pete Hegseth asserting he's "unfit" to lead the Department of Defense.
In her letter, dated Monday, Warren outlined 11 areas of "serious concerns" and demanded Hegseth respond with written answers to more than 70 questions by the end of this week. Hegseth is set to appear before the Armed Services Committee next week.
Regardless of his answers, Warren asserted Hegseth's confirmation would be "detrimental to our national security."
"I am deeply concerned by the many ways in which your behavior and rhetoric indicates that you are unfit to lead the Department of Defense," Warren wrote. "Your confirmation as Secretary of Defense would be detrimental to our national security and disrespect a diverse array of servicemembers who are willing to sacrifice for our country."
Hegseth has repeatedly denied and beaten back allegations of sexual assault and addressed reports of excessive drinking, saying he would not consume alcohol if he were confirmed.
Still, more than a dozen senators from both parties sought the release of an FBI background check on him, it was reported last month. Hegseth last month met with senators in an effort to shore up support for his nomination due in part to allegations of sexual assaults against him.
However, despite initial tepid support from some Senate Republicans and criticism from others, like Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Susan Collins, R-Maine, CBS News reported Monday that Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., privately told President-elect Donald Trump that Hegseth has the votes needed for confirmation.
Hegseth's confirmation hearing before the committee is set for Jan. 14.
Mark Swanson ✉
Mark Swanson, a Newsmax writer and editor, has nearly three decades of experience covering news, culture and politics.
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