Moderate Republican senator says she will vote against confirming Pete Hegseth as defense secretary

Republican Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, will not support the Senate confirmation of Pete Hegseth. President Donald Trump chosen to lead the defense department, citing a lack of experience and concerns about his past comments about women.

Several Republican senators remained undecided about Hegseth’s nomination as he faced grilling from members of the Armed Services Committee during his confirmation hearing in January.

“While I appreciate your brave military service and your continued commitment to our service members and their families, I am concerned that you do not have the experience and perspective necessary to succeed on the job,” Collins wrote in a post on X, formerly Twitter . on Thursday.

KEY SENATE PRESIDENT CRITICIZES ‘ANONYMOUS SOURCES WITH ULTERIOR MOTIVES’, SUPPORTS HEGSETH’S NOMINATION

Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be Secretary of Defense, addresses a meeting with Sen. Ted Budd, R.N.C., in the Russell Building on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (Tom Williams/CQ- Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images) (Tom Williams)

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“His limited management experience involved running two small nonprofits that had decidedly mixed results,” Collins wrote in a lengthy social media post. “I am also concerned about the multiple statements, including some in the months leading up to his nomination, that Mr. Hegseth has made about women serving in the military. He and I had a candid conversation in December about his past statements and points of view. “I’m not convinced that their position on women in combat roles has changed.”