FIRST ON FOX: New Republican Sen. Jim Banks of Indiana laced into Democrats over what he said are attempts to delay confirmation hearings for Trump nominees, in particular that of the Department of Defense pick Pete Hegseth.
Banks urged Senate Committee on Armed Services Chairman Roger Wicker, R-Miss., to move forward with Hegseth’s scheduled confirmation hearing on Jan. 14 as planned and not to be swayed by Democrats’ requests.
“As you are aware, Senators who are going to oppose the Hegseth nomination no matter what are seeking to delay and deny President Trump his Secretary of Defense being confirmed quickly. If they are successful, this will harm America’s national security during the crucial transition of power later this month,” he wrote to Wicker on Wednesday.
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Sen. Jim Banks said Democrats, including Sen. Richard Blumenthal, right, are looking to delay Pete Hegseth’s hearing. (Reuters)
The Republican’s letter comes after fellow committee member, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., sent his own correspondence to Wicker, arguing the committee needs more information and documentation from the nominee to properly consider him.
“I am deeply concerned that the Senate Armed Services Committee is considering the nomination of Pete Hegseth for this critically significant position without full information regarding his capacity and experience to lead our military and steward a budget of nearly $850 billion,” Blumenthal said, referencing allegations that Hegseth mismanaged finances while leading a veterans’ nonprofit.
The Connecticut Democrat added, “I do not see how this committee can, in good conscience, consider Mr. Hegseth’s nomination without a full review of his conduct while leading these organizations – the only civilian management experience of his career.”
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Blumenthal said he requested additional documents of Hegseth’s be reviewed, “including credit card transactions and other uses of resources.”
Additionally, the Democrat claimed Hegseth “refuses to make himself available to meet with me and my Democratic colleagues in advance of his nomination hearing.”
However, a source familiar told Fox News Digital that Hegseth reached out to Democrats in early to mid-December to meet. The only Democrat who was willing to was Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., who sat down with him…
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