Pete Hegseth could lead troops who face being fired for actions he has committed in the past

WASHINGTON (AP) — If Pete Hegseth were still in uniform, his extramarital affairs and decision to flatly ignore a combat commander’s directives wouldn’t just be attracting the attention of senators – they could have broken military law.

This raises questions among former and current defense leaders and veterans about whether Hegseth would be able to enforce discipline in the ranks if confirmed as Secretary of Defense under President-elect Donald Trump. Hegseth would oversee more than 2 million troops who could be disciplined or kicked out of the service for the same behavior. he admitted or was accused of in the past.

Hegseth, 44, a National Guard veteran and former Fox News Channel weekend host, admitted to having had several extramarital affairs – which happened while he was in the armyaccording to divorce records — and said he told his troops to ignore orders about when to shoot potential enemies. Both violate the Uniform Code of Military Justice and can have troops court-martialed and dishonorably discharged.

He also faces questions about his past drinking — which, if it had occurred in uniform, could also have led to disciplinary action.

Hegseth, however, has support from some veterans groups who say his past indiscretions are not as important as recruiting someone who will focus on improving military combat readiness.

Four defense officials highlighted Hegseth’s acknowledged problems and said senior officers had expressed unease about having him at the helm, because the defense secretary often sits to judge generals and admirals accused of bad behavior, including infidelity and refusal to obey orders.

The military expects those who hold them accountable to lead by example and hold themselves to equally high standards, said the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to relay private discussions.

‘Character is everything in an institution,’ former defense secretary said Chuck Hagelwho served in the Obama administration and was a longtime Republican senator. “The importance of character in leadership cannot be downplayed. »

Although it is very rare for military personnel to be disciplined solely for consensual matters, it is more likely to be done as part of a broader incident that affects the good order and discipline of a unit or their ability to direct. These cases would include fraternization within a unit, anything involving assault or a relationship between a service member and the civilian spouse of a subordinate.

A test before the Senate

The issues are expected to be raised Tuesday during Hegseth’s Senate confirmation hearing, which will be a first. test of Trump’s ability to guarantee loyalty among a slim Republican majority.

In a letter to Hegseth last week, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who is on the Senate Armed Services Committee holding the hearing, asked him answer a number of questions about their past conduct. The Massachusetts Democrat said she is “deeply concerned about the many ways in which your past behavior and rhetoric indicate that you are not fit to lead the Department of Defense.”

Asked about his ability to discipline others under the Uniform Code of Military Justice given his own behavior, Hegseth said last month on the “Megyn Kelly Show” that “my job is to follow the law, the UCMJ, and I will.”

Hegseth also I promised not to drink at work and denied a sexual assault allegation in 2017 but admitted paying a settlement to the woman. He was going through a divorce at the time after having a child with a Fox News producer who became his current wife, according to court records and his social media posts.

Trump and his supporters have rallied to Hegsethsaying it will strengthen what they consider a “woke” army.

He “is an incredibly tough and smart candidate who will fight to put America first,” Steven Cheung, Trump’s communications director, said in a statement. “With Pete as Secretary of Defense, America’s enemies know and our military will be great again.”

Only another Cabinet nominee in the last 60 years went through the confirmation process only to be rejected by the Senate. Texas Republican Sen. John Tower, President-elect George H. W. Bush’s pick for secretary of defense, was rejected in 1989 after contentious confirmation hearings that centered on allegations that Tower had been drinking and having sex. petticoats.

In meetings with senators at the Capitol, Hegseth worked to allay concerns. Trump’s base also increased pressure on those not seen as fully on board.

Sen. Susan Collins, a moderate Republican from Maine, said after I met Hegseth last month that she pressed him about the drinking allegations and payment of the settlement and that she would wait to decide on his appointment until the confirmation hearing and a background check.

The military’s strict code of conduct

Hegseth’s indiscretions could hamper his ability to lead by example, said the executive director of the nation’s largest Iraq and Afghanistan veterans group.

“The average American might scratch their head thinking that you can literally be kicked out of the military for cheating on your spouse. But it’s a fact. And that’s simply because the military holds itself to a higher standard of character,” said Allison Jaslow, who served as an Army officer in Iraq and now leads Iraq and Afghanistan. Veterans of America, a group of approximately 425,000 people.

In a November podcastHegseth said he told his platoon in Iraq in 2005 to ignore a commander’s directive not to shoot someone unless they raised their weapon to fire at U.S. troops.

“Clear as day, I remember walking out of that briefing, getting my platoon together and saying to myself, ‘Guys, we’re not doing this,’” Hegseth said. “If you see an enemy, engage before he can point his gun at you and shoot. »

Asked if this gave Trump’s team pause, transition spokesman Brian Hughes said “all nominees and appointees will adhere to the ethical obligations of their respective agencies.”

Hegseth received a Bronze Star for his service in Iraq from 2005 to 2006 and a second for his tour in Afghanistan in 2012.

Hegseth gets support from some veterans

He received support from 32 House Republicans who served in the military, who asked the Senate to evaluate him on his service and vision. However, they do not vote on his nomination.

A group of Navy SEALs are holding a rally in his honor this week in Washington, and one attendee said Hegseth’s indiscretions weren’t as important as the military’s refocus on preparedness.

“I think most of my support…kind of goes back to the fact that I was a SEAL on 9/11 and that changed my life forever,” Bill Brown said.

He said Hegseth understands their anger and sense of betrayal failures in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Regarding potential military code violations, “the No. 1 rule of engagement is to come home,” Brown said. “The military is not a social justice project.”