Garamendi voices opposition to Pete Hegseth's nomination as Secretary of Defense

Today, Representative John Garamendi (D-CA-08), a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, released a statement after Pete Hegseth's confirmation hearing. Garamendi expressed concerns regarding Hegseth's suitability for the role of U.S. Secretary of Defense.

Garamendi emphasized the importance of character in leadership roles: “Character counts, and every organization takes its behavioral cues from the leader.” He pointed out that Hegseth's past actions raise significant concerns about his character, which he described as "serious and troublesome." According to Garamendi, these issues are widely recognized and publicized.

He also highlighted the potential impact on the Department of Defense's efforts to foster appropriate behavior within the military. “Every one of the three million employees, including officers, enlisted servicemembers, and civilians, will know his deplorable history. The 25-year effort by the Department of Defense to promote appropriate behavior in the military will be eroded,” Garamendi stated.

In addition to character concerns, Garamendi criticized Hegseth for overlooking his financial holdings and maintaining outdated views on women and underrepresented communities. He further argued that Hegseth lacks necessary experience for managing an organization as complex as the Department of Defense: “Furthermore, it's a fact that Pete Hegseth has no experience in the management of the Department of Defense, the most complex and bureaucratic organization in the federal government. He is clearly and undoubtedly unqualified on all accounts to become the U.S. Secretary of Defense.”

The statement reflects Garamendi’s strong opposition to Hegseth’s nomination based on both character issues and qualifications.