Colorado Congressmen Weigh In on Pete Hegseth’s Nomination for Defense Secretary
As the confirmation hearings for Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense, heat up, Colorado’s congressional representatives are voicing their views. Congressman Jason Crow, a Democrat, and Congressman Gabe Evans, a Republican, spoke with CBS News Colorado about Hegseth, who has faced scrutiny regarding his views on women in the military and allegations of sexual assault.
Evans, representing Colorado’s 8th Congressional District, emphasized the need for "fresh ideas" in the Pentagon, stating, "I think it’s clear that we’re facing a lot of challenges in our Pentagon and in the Department of Defense right now." He believes that Hegseth’s status as a combat veteran could be beneficial for the department, which employs around three million personnel.
However, Crow, representing Colorado’s 6th Congressional District, raised serious concerns. He highlighted Hegseth’s past, including a 2017 allegation of sexual assault made by a woman, which Hegseth claims was part of a "coordinated smear campaign" against him. Crow argued that various allegations about Hegseth’s conduct, including issues related to alcohol abuse and remarks undermining women’s roles in the military, are pertinent when considering someone’s suitability for leadership in defense.
With a Republican majority in the Senate, Hegseth’s confirmation could likely occur shortly after Trump’s inauguration. The contrasting opinions from Crow and Evans reflect the broader national divide over Hegseth’s nomination, raising questions about leadership and accountability in the military.