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January 14, 2025

Senate Committee Holds Hearing for Trump Defense Nom, Accused Rapist Pete Hegseth
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The Senate Armed Services Committee is holding its confirmation hearing
today for Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump's pick to become defense secretary.
The New Yorker magazine has revealed several Republican senators refused
to meet with the woman who accused Hegseth of raping her at a Republican
women's conference in Monterey, California, in 2017. The FBI also did
not talk to the woman, as well as other possible sources, including one
of Hegseth's former wives or former employees of Concerned Veterans for
America. Hegseth was forced out from the group over accusations of
financial mismanagement, sexual misconduct and public drunkenness.

The New Yorker's Jane Mayer reports Hegseth's supporters have
intimidated potential witnesses from speaking out against the former Fox
News host. Mayer also reveals a group of conservative billionaires,
including Bill Koch and Richard Uihlein, plan to spend a million dollars
to pressure Republican senators to support Hegseth.

Confirmation hearings for interior secretary nominee Doug Burgum and
veterans affairs secretary nominee Doug Collins were scheduled for today
but have been postponed.


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