WATCH: Sen. Wicker calls Hegseth a ‘top-shelf communicator’ during confirmation hearing

Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., chair of the Senate Committee on Armed Services, praised defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth‘s ability to communicate the global threats facing the United States in a confirmation hearing opening statement Tuesday.

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“We must not underestimate the importance of having a top-shelf communicator as secretary of defense. Other than the president, no official plays a larger role in telling the men and women in uniform, the Congress and the public about the threats we face and the need for a peace-through-strength defense policy,” Wicker said.

Hegseth is a military veteran and conservative media personality. President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for defense secretary has faced allegations of sexual misconduct and excessive drinking, and been criticized as a nominee for his controversial views on diversity and religion in the military.