Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) has announced her opposition to Pete Hegseth's nomination for Secretary of Defense, citing concerns about his character and judgment. Murkowski's statement, released on X (formerly Twitter), highlighted Hegseth's admitted infidelity, along with allegations of sexual assault and excessive drinking, as factors influencing her decision. She also pointed to his past remarks regarding women in the military as a cause for concern.

Murkowski emphasized the importance of confirming a Defense Secretary given the current global security landscape, but stated that she couldn't support Hegseth due to his perceived lack of judgment. While Hegseth has acknowledged past infidelity, he denies the allegations of excessive drinking and sexual assault.

Murkowski explained that her decision followed a thorough review of Hegseth's record, including his writings, reports, and his testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee. She also consulted with various organizations, veterans, and Alaskan constituents. Recent developments, including an affidavit from Hegseth's former sister-in-law alleging he made his ex-wife fear for her safety, have added to the controversy surrounding his nomination. A source also indicated that Samantha Hegseth provided a new statement to the FBI alleging ongoing alcohol abuse by Pete Hegseth, a claim he denies.

Other key Republican senators, including Susan Collins (R-ME) and Mitch McConnell (R-KY), have not yet publicly stated their positions on Hegseth's nomination. Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) stated he is reviewing the latest affidavit before making a decision.

Hegseth requires a simple majority in the Senate for confirmation. With Republicans holding a 53-seat majority, he can only afford to lose a few votes within his party. If a tie occurs, Vice President JD Vance would cast the deciding vote. Murkowski's opposition is not entirely surprising, given her history of occasionally breaking with her party. It has been suggested that Vance's tie-breaking vote might be necessary for Hegseth's confirmation, with McConnell and Collins' votes being crucial alongside Murkowski's. If all three oppose the nomination, Vance would need to intervene. Such a scenario would create a historical parallel to Vice President Pence's tie-breaking votes for Betsy DeVos and other nominees.