Illinois Sens. Duckworth, Durbin slam Hegseth confirmation: ‘Deeply shameful’

Both U.S. senators representing Illinois slammed the confirmation of Pete Hegseth to be the new defense secretary on Friday.

Sens. Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin, both Democrats, voted against Hegseth’s confirmation.

UNITED STATES - JANUARY 14: Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to be defense secretary, testifies during his Senate Armed Services Committee confirmation hearing in Dirksen building on Tuesday, January 14, 2025. (Tom Williams/CQ-Rol

Tight confirmation vote

The backstory:

Vice President JD Vance had to cast the tie-breaking vote after multiple Republican senators voted against Hegseth. 

The former combat veteran and Fox News host faced allegations of excessive drinking and aggressive actions toward women, which he has denied. 

President Donald Trump has stood by Hegseth, and the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee dismissed the claims as factually inaccurate.

Hegseth merely swatted away the allegations against him as "smears" as he showcased his military credentials and vowed to bring "warrior culture" to the role. 

He has also promised to not drink on the job if confirmed.

‘It’s insulting'

What they're saying:

Duckworth, an Iraq War veteran who lost her legs in combat, had been critical of Hegseth throughout the confirmation process. She argued Hegseth didn’t have the proper qualifications to lead the Department of Defense and its nearly 3 million employees.

"Yet, it is deeply shameful that tonight—despite shouting from the rooftops that they wanted to bring meritocracy back to our military—nearly every Republican chose to confirm someone who so obviously lacks the merits to serve as our Secretary of Defense. And our brave servicemembers, our military readiness and our national security will pay the price," Duckworth said in a statement.

US Senator Tammy Duckworth, Democrat from Illinois, questions Pete Hegseth, US President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for Defense Secretary, during Hegseth's confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Capitol Hill on January 1

Duckworth and other female senators have also been critical of allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse against Hegseth, all of which he’s denied.

"Not only does Pete Hegseth lack the experience to do the job, the mountain of abuse and sexual misconduct allegations that have come to light further underscores how unfit he is to uphold good order and discipline in our Armed Forces," she said. "Rank and file members of our great military would be held accountable for the actions Mr. Hegseth has allegedly committed and would not be able to serve, much less be promoted. It is insulting to ask our servicemembers to uphold the absolute highest standards, only to turn around and lower the standards for Pete Hegseth to lead them."

UNITED STATES - JANUARY 21: Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill., is seen after Democratic senate luncheon in the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, January 21, 2025. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

Durbin also questioned Hegseth’s qualifications, even citing what his office called his "inability to articulate a defense strategy in addressing threats to the U.S."

"We must have military leaders who have proven good judgement for when they are sitting in the Situation Room. From the outset, Pete Hegseth has failed to position himself as someone who can be trusted to develop a strategic plan to address the threats to our nation," Durbin said in a statement. "Between his unacceptable views on women in the military, his stunning lack of basic knowledge on the rules of engagement, and serious allegations of personal misconduct, it’s crystal clear that Pete Hegseth should not be leading the Department of Defense."

NewsPoliticsIllinois