Sen. Lisa Murkowski had voted to confirm all but two of then-President Joe Biden's Cabinet nominees. (Getty Images)
Alaska's senior senator is facing a barrage of attacks from President Donald Trump's supporters over her opposition to his nominee to lead the Department of Defense, Pete Hegseth.
"I commend Pete Hegseth’s service to our nation, including leading troops in combat and advocating for our veterans. However, these accomplishments do not alleviate my significant concerns regarding his nomination," Murkowski said in a lengthy statement posted to X this week.
She expressed concerns about his lack of relevant experience on Pentagon policy, as well as allegations that he mismanaged two veterans organizations he previously led, and accusations of sexual assault and excessive drinking – all of which Hegseth has denied.
"While the allegations of sexual assault and excessive drinking do nothing to quiet my concerns, the past behaviors Mr. Hegseth has admitted to, including infidelity on multiple occasions, demonstrate a lack of judgment that is unbecoming of someone who would lead our armed forces," Murkowski wrote.
MODERATE REPUBLICAN MURKOWSKI WON'T BACK TRUMP PICK HEGSETH FOR DEFENSE SECRETARY
Sen. Lisa Murkowski opposed the nomination of then-President Joe Biden's HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
Murkowski told Politico in 2020 that "all presidents have right to their Cabinet" but it was the Senate's responsibility to make sure those people "are good, qualified credible candidates."
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Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, who is also opposing Hegseth, voted in favor of all of Biden's Cabinet nominees in 2021.
Fox News Digital reached out to Murkowski's office for comment.
Elizabeth Elkind is a politics reporter for Fox News Digital leading coverage of the House of Representatives. Previous digital bylines seen at Daily Mail and CBS News.
Follow on Twitter at @liz_elkind and send tips to elizabeth.elkind@fox.com
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