Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut cast doubt Tuesday on nominee Pete Hegseth’s ability to run the Department of Defense, pointing to claims of financial mismanagement when President-elect Donald Trump’s pick ran a pair of veterans’ groups.

Mr. Blumenthal, a Democrat, said tax records from Veterans for Freedom and Concerned Veterans for America are the “only test of your financial management that we have before this committee.”

The senator said the groups consistently ran deficits and incurred debts, leading to donor complaints.

Mr. Blumental said Mr. Hegseth was responsible for about 50 people in those groups but would run a government organization of more than 3 million personnel if confirmed.

“That isn’t the kind of fiscal management we want at the Department of Defense,” Mr. Blumenthal said.

Mr. Hegseth defended his work.

SEE ALSO: Protesters interrupt Pete Hegseth’s opening statement at high-stakes confirmation hearing

“Every dollar we raised was used intentionally toward the execution of our mission,” Mr. Hegseth said.

Republicans on the committee pointed to testimonials from veterans who said Mr. Hegseth ran a tight ship at the veterans’ groups and served as a good role model.

• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.