Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has called for an emergency meeting with Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) Democrats on Monday evening. The meeting is scheduled just hours before a highly controversial confirmation hearing for Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth.

According to a Senate Democratic source, this last-minute gathering underscores the party’s serious concerns regarding Hegseth’s qualifications and past conduct. Schumer’s efforts come as Democrats prepare to confront the first of several key nominees put forth by President-elect Donald Trump.

Amplifying Opposition to Trump’s Picks

In the days leading up to the hearing, Schumer and several Senate Democrats have expressed their opposition to Hegseth, who previously served as a host on Fox News. This hearing marks the beginning of a process many Democrats believe deserves heightened scrutiny, especially given Trump’s polarizing agenda.

Reported by Axios, the meeting reflects a concerted effort by Schumer to encourage Democratic senators to probe Hegseth rigorously during the hearing. A source suggested that this might be a strategy to position Democrats as the early warning system against potentially problematic nominees from Trump’s administration.

A Troubling Background

In floor remarks prior to the meeting, Schumer emphasized the severity of Hegseth’s past, stating, “Unfortunately, Mr. Hegseth’s background is deeply troubling, to put it generously.” He referenced reports concerning Hegseth’s “radical views,” allegations of excessive drinking, and claims of sexual misconduct along with issues related to financial mismanagement.

Hegseth has firmly denied all allegations against him, asserting there is no merit to the claims of financial misconduct, alcohol abuse, or sexual assault. At the time of publication, his spokesperson had not responded to requests for comments from Fox News Digital.

A Party Divided

The SASC Democrats planning to engage in the hearings include a roster of influential senators: Ranking Member Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Angus King (I-Maine), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), and Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.).

Concerns from the Ranking Member

After a brief meeting with Hegseth last week, Ranking Member Jack Reed expressed his own reservations, stating, “Today’s meeting did not relieve my concerns about Mr. Hegseth’s lack of qualifications and raised more questions than answers.” He reaffirmed the expectation for Hegseth to undergo the same rigorous evaluation as past nominees for the critical position of Secretary of Defense.

This perspective is critical, given that national security policies and military readiness are at stake. Reed added, “As with any nominee for this critical position, Mr. Hegseth must undergo the same high-level of scrutiny as prior Secretary of Defense nominees.”