At least a dozen senators are pushing to see the FBI’s background check on Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump’s embattled pick for Pentagon chief — a rare move for the committee that oversees his confirmation and a sign the former Fox News host still faces hurdles in the Senate.
Unlike some other committees, the Senate Armed Services usually limits access to these types of background checks to its two lead senators. But pressure is building from both Democrats and Republicans to provide more lawmakers with the ongoing report, whose contents could determine whether Hegseth makes it to the Pentagon.
“It would be helpful, given the allegations that have been lodged against Mr. Hegseth, to be able to see the FBI background check,” Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), a potential swing vote on Hegseth, said in an interview.
The push follows allegations of sexual assault against Hegseth, as well as alcohol abuse and mismanagement during his tenure at two veterans groups. He denies the allegations, and Trump’s allies have continued to drum up support for the TV personality. No Republicans have come out against him.
Senators have various motives for seeking the report. Some Republicans, such as Collins and North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis, say the claims are serious enough to warrant greater access to the findings. While it’s unlikely the FBI findings would be made public, they could still give Republican senators political cover to vote against Hegseth or support his defense.
“I’ve encouraged all of the nominees, number one, be out front on the FBI background check, and you want that information shared at least with committee members,” said Tillis, a Trump ally.
The FBI’s background investigation is expected to thoroughly examine Hegseth’s personal and professional history, including interviews with associates, reviews of financial records, and queries into past legal issues.
Trump’s pick argues he has nothing to hide. “Mr. Hegseth not only welcomes but looks forward to the FBI background check,” said Hegseth adviser Arthur Schwartz.
The allegations of sexual assault against Hegseth didn’t result in criminal charges, and his attorney, Tim Parlatore, recently told CNN that Hegseth’s accuser was released from a non-disclosure agreement. While that might allow her to explain her side of the incident, Parlatore warned it could open her up to a defamation suit.
Hegseth’s background check, which was delayed by Trump’s initial reluctance to sign agreements with the FBI, would likely move forward on an expedited timeline. The investigations, which usually take weeks, could get fast-tracked to finish before Hegseth’s confirmation hearing, expected on Jan. 14.
The tradition of limited access gives committee Chair Jack Reed, of Rhode Island, and ranking member Mississippi Sen. Roger Wicker significant power over the process. By arrangement with the White House, the two senators typically review FBI reports on nominees and without staff present, and consult with the administration if they want to release them more widely.
Reed is facing pressure from at least eight Senate Armed Services Democrats, including Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.) Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.). They and Sen. Angus King (Maine-I) said they want the report released to all committee members.
“Having more information is a positive thing, even for the Republicans,” Kelly said. “As you’ve seen, there are some that are struggling with this nomination.”
Reed acknowledged the growing calls for transparency but didn’t say which way he was leaning. “Everybody wants to look at it,” he said. “That’s a decision that has to be made by myself, Sen. Wicker and the White House.”
Kaine said that if Reed and Wicker wanted to break with the norm, they would have to “go back and renegotiate” with the incoming Trump administration.
Blumenthal, one of the most vocal Democrats on the issue, went further. He said he wants senators involved in all confirmation hearings to see the findings. “The FBI report ought to be shared with the entire committee, in fact, with the entire Senate before any vote,” he said.
Republicans, too, are weighing in. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), a Trump ally, said simply, “I’m going to see it.”
But some Senate Armed Services Republicans said they want to defer to the committee’s longstanding tradition and precedent.
“I don’t think we need to make any special exceptions on any of this,” said Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.). “If we didn’t do it for the Biden administration, we shouldn’t do it for the Trump administration.”
The background check played a vital role in the 1989 confirmation fight over John Tower, George H. W. Bush’s pick for Defense secretary. The FBI report on Tower documented a “pattern of alcohol abuse.” His nomination was defeated.
