What Americans think about Pete Hegseth, Trump's defense secretary pick

[January 15, 2025]  By LINLEY SANDERS

WASHINGTON (AP) — Pete Hegseth faced an important test in his fiery confirmation hearing on Tuesday — but he didn't just have to prove himself to the senators who immediately began sparring over his nomination as defense secretary. The hearing was also an opportunity for Hegseth to make his case to the sizable share of Americans who don't know him or don't approve of President-elect Donald Trump's decision to tap him for this key role in his administration.

A new poll finds only about 2 in 10 Americans approve of Hegseth being nominated as the secretary of defense, a position that would put the 44-year-old Army National Guard veteran and former Fox News Channel weekend host in charge of overseeing U.S. troops. The survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, which was conducted before Hegseth's confirmation hearings began, finds that roughly one-third of U.S. adults disapprove of Trump’s choice, and about 1 in 10 say they neither approve nor disapprove. About one-third of Americans say they don’t know enough about Hegseth to have an opinion.

Hegseth's experience in the Army National Guard is seen by the incoming administration and supporters in Congress as an asset for the job, but he also brings a jarring record of past statements and actions, including allegations of sexual assault, excessive drinking and derisive views about women in military combat roles, minorities and “woke” generals. He has vowed not to drink alcohol if he is confirmed to lead the Pentagon.

Republican men are more likely to have an opinion of Hegseth and approve of his nomination

More Republicans approve than disapprove of Trump nominating Hegseth -- about 4 in 10 approve, and only about 1 in 10 disapprove. But many Republicans, about one-third, still don’t have an opinion of him yet.

About half of GOP men approve of Hegseth for defense secretary, compared to about one-third of Republican women. Republican women are less likely to express a view on his nomination either way. About half of Republican women do not have an opinion of him.

Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's choice to be Defense secretary, appears before the Senate Armed Services Committee for his confirmation hearing, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Hegseth faced some criticism for saying he opposes putting women in combat roles. He has walked those comments back since his nomination, saying “if we have the right standard and women meet that standard, roger. Let’s go.” Two former female combat veterans, Republican Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa and Democrat Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, were among those who questioned him.

Older Republicans are also more likely to approve of Hegseth’s nomination. About half of Republicans over 45 approve, compared to about 3 in 10 Republicans under 45. The younger Republicans are also less likely to have formed an opinion of him.

Only one-quarter see a lack of government experience as a plus

Hegseth acknowledged during his hearing that he does not have the traditional background of past defense secretaries, promising to be a “change agent” for the branch.

The poll finds, though, that a lack of government experience isn’t a positive for many Americans. About half of Americans say it’s a “very” or “somewhat” bad thing for the president to rely on people without any background in government for advice about government policy, and only about one-quarter say it’s a “very” or “somewhat” good thing. About one-quarter are neutral, calling it neither good nor bad.

Republicans, however, are more likely than Democrats and independents to say it’s good for the president to rely on people without government experience for input on policy. About 4 in 10 Republicans say this is a good thing, compared to about 2 in 10 independents and roughly 1 in 10 Democrats.

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Associated Press writers Lisa Mascaro, Tara Copp and Matt Brown contributed reporting from Washington, D.C.

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