Mullin Accuses Colleagues During Hegseth Hearing

During a contentious confirmation hearing for Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth, Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) accused his colleagues of hypocrisy while criticizing Hegseth's qualifications and alleged past behavior, including claims of intoxication at work and sexual misconduct. Mullin challenged fellow senators, questioning how many had voted while drunk or faced personal scandals without calls to resign, suggesting that their criticisms of Hegseth were unfounded. The hearing saw intense scrutiny from Democrats, with Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) listing accusations against Hegseth and demanding straightforward answers, which Hegseth dismissed as 'anonymous smears.' Despite the allegations, Republicans, including Mullin, continued to support Hegseth, framing the Democratic questioning as a politically motivated attack. The session highlighted deep partisan divisions, with accusations flying from both sides regarding qualifications and conduct. Overall, the confirmation hearing became a battleground for broader political disputes over leadership and accountability in government.