FIRST ON FOX: New Republican Sen. Jim Banks of Indiana has joined Democrats over what he said are efforts to delay confirmation hearings for Trump appointees, particularly Defense Department nominee Pete Hegseth.
Banks urged Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker, R-Miss., to move forward with Hegseth’s scheduled confirmation hearing on Jan. 14 as planned and not be disturbed by the demands of the Democrats.
“As you know, the senators will oppose the nomination of Hegseth regardless of whether they want to delay and deny President Trump his Secretary of Defense to be confirmed immediately. If he succeeds, this will harm the security of the United States during the important 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, looks to delay Pete Hegseth’s hearing. (Reuters)
The letter of the Republic comes after a member of the committee, Seni. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., sent his letter to Wicker, arguing that 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 to this important position without full knowledge of his ability and experience to lead our military and manage a budget of nearly $850 billion,” Blumenthal said, referring to the allegations. that Hegseth mismanaged finances while leading the veterans nonprofit.
The Connecticut Democrat added, “I don’t 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 experience of managing citizens in his career.”
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Blumenthal said he requested a review of additional documents for Hegseth, “including credit card transactions and other use of facilities.”
Additionally, the Democrat said Hegseth “refused to make himself available to meet with my Democratic colleagues prior to his nomination hearing.”
However, a familiar source told Fox News Digital that Hegseth reached out to Democrats as early as mid-December for a meeting. The only democrat who was willing was Seni. John Fetterman, D-Pa., who sat down with him last month.
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Others, the source said, waited until the morning before the trial scheduled for January 14 to answer. As with these types of nominees, Hegseth is scheduled to prepare for the hearing in the days leading up to it.
In a letter to Wicker, Banks criticized Blumenthal’s request. “Senator Blumenthal’s letter to you and the rest of the Committee is the latest attempt to achieve their goal. In his letter, he raises unsubstantiated and unsubstantiated allegations about Mr. Hegseth regarding his time as the leader of two organizations that advocated for America’s veterans. Senator Blumenthal’s letter leaves it in the interest of the veterans who worked with Mr. Hegseth on the record to support it. his appointment,” he wrote.
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Sen. Jim Banks said he fully supports Pete Hegseth, of course. (Getty Images)
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The Republican agreed that Blumenthal had the right to question Hegseth on the floor and ultimately oppose his confirmation. But, “He has no right to delay the important work of the Armed Services Committee to protect the American nation,” Banks said.
Wicker did not immediately comment to Fox News Digital.
