GILLIBRAND: Give me one example. I get you're making these generalized statements HEGSETH: Commanders meet quotas to have a certain numbers of female infantry officers GILLIBRAND: Commanders do not have to have a quota for commanders in the infantry. That does not exist.

Reed: "All of your public comments don't talk meritocracy. They talk about liberal democratic efforts that are destroying the military, 'those people are our enemies.' That's not meritocracy. That's a political view. Your goal as I see it emerging is to politicize the military"

Reed: "Your definition of lethality seems to embrace those people who do commit war crimes."

HEGSETH: In multiple cases they were acquitted REED: The only reason you asked for a pardon is because they were convicted

REED: Would you explain what a jagoff is? HEGSETH: I don't think I need to R: Why? H: Because the men & women watching understand R: Perhaps some of my colleagues don't understand H: It would be a jag officer who puts his or her own priorities in front of the warfighters

As we get deeper into Hegseth's hearing, let me say that if you appreciate this thread, please support my work by signing up for my newsletter. Independent media will be vital during the 2nd Trump administration & paid subscribers make my work possible.

Shaheen: "Should we take it that you believe that the two women on this committee who have served honorably and with distinction made our military less effective and less capable?"

Shaheen points out that Hegseth's views on women in the military magically became more enlightened after he was nominated for defense secretary

SHAHEEN: Will you commit to preserving the women, peace, and security law at the DoD? HEGSETH: I will commit to reviewing it SHAHEEN: Well since former President Trump signed the law, I hope he agrees with you

Hegseth suggests that women serving in combat roles if they can't meet the same standards as men is a bad idea and something Trump may reconsider

COTTON: Do you consider yourself a Christian Zionist? HEGSETH: I'm a Christian and I robustly support the state of Israel and its existential defense and the way American comes alongside them as their great ally ... I support Israel killing every last member of Hamas

Gillibrand: "You said in your statement 'you don't want politics in the DoD.' Everything you've said is politics. 'I don't want women, I don't want moms.' What's wrong with a mom, by the way? Once you have babies you're no longer able to be lethal? ... it's a silly thing to say."

Hegseth: "I volunteered to guard the inauguration of Joe Biden but was denied the opportunity to serve because I was identified as an extremist by my own unit for a Christian tattoo." (Hegseth at the time was a January 6 hype man on Fox)

not beating the misogynist allegations

Hegseth does not deny a line of questioning from Blumenthal detailing how Hegseth ran a veterans nonprofit into the ground

Blumenthal: "I don't believe you can tell this committee or the people of America that you are qualified to lead them. I would support you as the spokesperson for the Pentagon."

BLUMENTHAL: I assume you'd be willing to submit to an expanded FBI background check HEGSETH: I'm not charge of FBI background checks BLUMENTHAL: But you would submit to it and support it? HEGSETH: I'm not charge of FBI background checks *takes a big gulp of water*

Hegseth: "Yes, women will have access to ground combat roles -- *given* the standards remain high. And we'll have a review to ensure the standards have not been eroded in any one of those cases. That'll be part of one of the first things we do at the Pentagon."

Ernst, who seems very positive about Hegseth, claims a priority of hers is "combatting sexual assault in the military" 🤔

HEGSETH: I was falsely accused in October 2017. It was fully investigated. And I was completely cleared HIRONO: I don't think 'completely cleared' is accurate

Wow -- Hegseth steamrolls Hirono as she tries to ask him about accusations of being drunk on the job. He then dodges a question about if he'll commit to resign as sec def if he drinks on the job

HIRONO: Would you carry out an order from President Trump to shoot protesters in the legs? HEGSETH: *dodges question* HIRONO: That sounds to me that you would comply with such an order. You still shoot protesters in the legs HEGSETH: *silent*

HIRONO: Would you carry out an order from President Trump to seize Greenland, a territory of our NATO ally Denmark, by force? HEGSETH: President Trump received 77 million votes-- HIRONO: We're not talking about the election

NOTABLE -- Hegseth leaves the door wide open to banning DoD reimbursements for abortion healthcare and says, "I don't believe the federal government should be funding travel for abotion"