Pete Hegseth Pledges to Appoint 'Senior Position' to Tackle Sexual Assault in Military After Being Grilled on Accusations of His Own

Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth pledged on Tuesday to appoint a "senior level official dedicated to sexual assault prevention and response" after facing accusations of incurring in such conduct.

When questioned by Republican Senator Joni Ernst, one of his main detractors after Trump announced his nomination, Hegseth said he commits to make the appointment and noted he had already done so while meeting privately with her weeks ago.

Ernst is a leader in the fight against sexual assault in the military. Herself a survivor, she changed her tune on Hegseth after their meeting in early December. Back then, she said she would give him the chance to make a case for his nomination at the hearing taking place on Monday.

Hegseth was grilled by Democratic female committee members on his views on women in the military during a confrontational moment during his confirmation hearing.

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen brought up conflicting statements Hegseth has made about women serving in the military.

In previous interviews and writings, Hegseth has criticized women in uniform but since his nomination, he has publicly reversed his stance to say that they serve important roles in the military.

"Which is it?" Shaheen asked.

Hegseth told the New Hampshire Democrat that it would be "an honor" to serve with women.

"I appreciate your 11th-hour conversion," Shaheen quipped back.

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D) New York, continued the line of questioning about women in the military during her seven-minute time period.

She asked him to explain some of his past statements.

"They are brutal," Gillibrand said. "And they are mean and they disrespect men and women who are willing to die for this country."

"I've never disparaged women serving in the military," Hegseth replied. "I respect every single female service member that has put on the uniform, past and present."

Hegseth, a military combat veteran and ex-Fox News host, has faced allegations of sexual assault, financial misconduct and excessive drinking. In one prior incident, he reportedly chanted "kill all Muslims" in front of a veterans group before he was removed.