Key senators receive Pete Hegseth’s FBI background check only days before confirmation hearing

The FBI background check for Department of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth was transmitted late to the Senate Armed Services Committee, causing frustration among Democrats who had not seen the report ahead of his confirmation hearing. Despite concerns about his controversial past and lack of qualifications, Hegseth’s team has been proactive in reaching out to Democratic senators for meetings. However, some Democrats have declined to meet with Hegseth until after the hearing, including Sen. Mazie Hirono. The FBI has not contacted key leaders from organizations Hegseth led in the past, raising questions about his ability to manage the Department of Defense’s budget. Despite concerns from Democrats over his drinking and past controversies, no Republicans on the committee have indicated they will vote against Hegseth’s confirmation. The delay in reviewing the FBI report and the lack of communication with key figures from Hegseth’s past have raised questions about the transparency of the confirmation process. Hegseth’s attorney stated that they had not been given anything to review from the FBI and did not expect to have a copy of the report before the hearing. Overall, the confirmation process for Hegseth has been met with controversy and concerns about his qualifications to lead the Department of Defense.

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