Sen. Republican Susan Collins, R-Maine, will not support Senate confirmation of Pete Hegseth, President Donald Trump pick to lead the defense department, citing inexperience and concerns about his past comments about women.
Many Republican senators remained on the fence about Hegseth's nomination as he was targeted by members of the Armed Services Committee during his tenure. confirmation hearing in January.
“While I appreciate his courageous military service and his continued commitment to our service members and their families, I am concerned that he lacks the experience and vision necessary to succeed in the job,” Collins wrote in a post. X, formerly Twitter. on Thursday.
SENATE CHIEF MANAGER DENIES 'UNKNOWN MINUTES HAVING HUGE INJURIES,' STANDS FOR HEGSETH'S ELECTION.
Pete Hegseth, President Donald Trump's nominee for secretary of defense, attends a meeting with Sen. Ted Budd, RN.C., at the Russell Building on Tuesday, December 3, 2024. (Tom Williams/CQ- Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images) (Tom Williams)
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“His limited management experience included running two small nonprofits that had mixed results,” Collins wrote in a lengthy social media post. “I am also concerned about a number of statements, including some in the months before he was elected, that Mr. Hegseth has made about women serving in the military. He and I had a frank discussion in December about the statements of his past and seemingly changing .