Murkowski says she's "unable to support" Hegseth
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Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) heads to the Senate Chamber to vote on the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act on January 22, in Washington, DC. Photo: Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) said Thursday that she can't "in good conscience" vote for Pete Hegseth as Defense secretary.
Why it matters: Hegseth, who has been besieged with scandals after Trump tapped him to helm the Pentagon, now faces a rocky path to Senate confirmation.
- Murkowski, who has not shied away from breaking with the MAGA wing of the party, is the first Republican in the Senate to reject any of Trump's picks to fill his cabinet and key agencies.
- Hegseth can afford three GOP "no" votes, as Vice President Vance is available to break a potential 50-50 deadlock.
- He faced a grilling at his confirmation hearing earlier this month over his fitness to head the military and misconduct allegations.
Driving the news: "The leader of the Department of Defense must demonstrate and model the standards of behavior and character we expect of all servicemembers, and Mr. Hegseth's nomination to the role poses significant concerns that I cannot overlook," Murkowski wrote in a social media post.
- She wrote that she remains "concerned about the message" that confirming Hegseth would send to women in or interested in joining the armed forces.
- Hegseth has previously said that women should not serve in combat roles, a view that earned him often heated rebuke during his hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee.
- The Alaska Republican wrote that past behavior Hegseth has admitted to, including repeated infidelity, demonstrates "a lack of judgment that is unbecoming of someone who would lead our armed forces."
- Murkowski also cited concerns over Hegseth's prior leadership of veteran organizations, noting the accusations he faced of "financial mismanagement and problems with the workplace culture he fostered."
The bottom line: Murkowski concluded, "Given the global security environment we're operating in, it is critical that we confirm a Secretary of Defense, however, I regret that I am unable to support Mr. Hegseth."
Catch up quick: The Armed Services Committee voted along party lines Monday to approve Hegseth, moving him along to the full Senate.
- The possibility Murkowski would not back Hegseth was anticipated, Axios' Hans Nichols reported.
- Sens. Susan Collins' (R-Maine) and Mitch McConnell's (R-Ky.) votes are also in the air, some Republicans worry.
The intrigue: Murkowski's announcement also comes days after lawmakers reviewed new accusations against Hegseth in an affidavit from his former sister-in-law, who alleged that Hegseth's ex-wife feared for her safety while married to him.
- Hegseth denies the claims. His ex-wife says he was never physically abusive.
Editor's note: This is a breaking news story and will be updated with more information.
