Sen. <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/hitchhikers-guide-probable-weekend-session-confirm-trump-nominees" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lisa Murkowski</a>, R-Alaska, said on Thursday she can't support Pete Hegseth to be President Donald Trump's secretary of Defense.&nbsp;

"Given the global security environment we’re operating in, it is critical that we confirm a Secretary of Defense, however, I regret that I am unable to support Mr. Hegseth," she concluded in a lengthy statement posted to X.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/tim-scott-emphasizes-results-over-reconciliation-process-he-stays-out-debate"><strong>TIM SCOTT EMPHASIZES 'RESULTS' OVER RECONCILIATION PROCESS AS HE STAYS OUT OF DEBATE</strong></a>

<div class="m"><picture> <img src="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2023/11/1200/675/GettyImages-1534567788.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1" alt="Lisa Murkowski" width="100%" height="auto"></picture></div> <div class="info"><div class="caption"><p><span>Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-AK, speaks during the Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on the Special Diabetes Program on July 11, 2023 in Washington, DC.&nbsp;</span> <span>(Jemal Countess/Getty Images for JDRF)</span></p></div></div>

In her reasoning, Murkowski cited infidelity, "allegations of sexual assault and excessive drinking" and Hegseth's previous comments on women serving in the military.&nbsp;

The behaviors that he has admitted to alone, she said, show "a lack of judgment that is unbecoming of someone who would lead our armed forces."

While Hegseth has admitted to past infidelity, he has denied claims of excessive drinking and sexual assault.&nbsp;

<div class="author-bio"><p>Julia Johnson is a politics writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business, leading coverage of the U.S. Senate. She was previously a politics reporter at the Washington Examiner.&nbsp;</p><p>Follow Julia's reporting on X at <a href="https://twitter.com/juliaajohnson_?lang=en" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">@JuliaaJohnson_</a> and send tips to <a href="mailto:Julia.Johnson@fox.com" rel="nofollow">Julia.Johnson@fox.com</a>.</p></div>

A moderate GOP senator has broken her silence to say she won't be voting to confirm Pete Hegseth.{ai:summary}<p>Sen. Lisa Murkowski announced her opposition to Pete Hegseth as President Trump's nominee for Secretary of Defense, citing concerns over his past behaviors, including infidelity and allegations of sexual assault. She emphasized the need for a leader with sound judgment in the current global security climate.</p><p>Murkowski expressed that Hegseth's admitted actions are not suitable for someone in charge of the armed forces, despite his denials regarding excessive drinking and sexual assault claims. #politics</p>

Moderate Republican Murkowski won't back Trump pick Hegseth for defense secretary

Loading...