Hirono Grills Hegseth Over Allegations Of Drinking On The Job

Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth’s confirmation hearing got heated when Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) challenged him over press reports that he drank while on the job in his previous employment, charges that Hegseth denied.

“As secretary you will be in charge of maintaining good order and discipline by enforcing the Uniform Code of Military Justice. … I have read multiple reports of your regularly being drunk at work, including by people who worked with you at Fox News,” Hirono said.

“Do you know that being drunk at work is prohibited?” Hirono asked pointedly.

Hegseth vehemently denied the allegations, dismissing them as a media smear.

“Those are multiple false anonymous reports peddled by NBC News that run directly contradictory to the dozens of men and women and Fox News channel…” he responded.

But Hirono cut him off.

“I’m not hearing an answer to my question,” she said.

Then she pressed him on his promise to Republican senators that he would not drink if confirmed to lead the Pentagon.

“Absolutely,” Hegseth said.

Hirono then asked if the nominee would resign as secretary of Defense if he resumes drinking while leading the Pentagon, arguing it’s a “24/7” job.

Hegseth said he made the commitment on behalf of the servicemembers who would be under his leadership.

But he did not specifically pledge to resign as secretary of Defense if alcohol touches his lips while he is leading the nation’s armed forces.