Sen. Martha McSally, a retired Air Force pilot who revealed this year that she was raped by a superior officer, defended Air Force Gen. John Hyten at his confirmation hearing today.
The general nominated to be the nation's No. 2 military officer appears slated to move forward in the Senate, after defending himself against allegations of sexual assault.
Senate Armed Services Chairman Jim Inhofe said that he was confident Hyten would be confirmed, while Sen. Tom Cotton , a member of the Committee, questioned the credibility of his accuser, Army Col.“The accuser also levied multiple allegations of misconduct of a non-sexual nature not just against him but against many other persons at Strategic Command,” Cotton told reporters outside the hearing. “Those accusations were all found to be unsubstantiated.
Support from Wilson, who was discussed as a potential candidate for defense secretary, could bolster Hyten’s credibility among Democrats. Sen. Doug Jones of Alabama said he planned to support Hyten’s nomination and said Wilson’s opening remarks “[summarized] everything” he believes. Spletstoser, who worked for Hyten, accused the general of unwanted sexual advances and said he attempted to derail her career when she declined his advances. After detailing her allegations anonymously in interviews, Spletstoser went public in an interview with The New York Times late last week. Spletstoser said she plans to retire at the end of the year.
“It has been a painful time for me and my family,” Hyten said. “But I want to state to you and to the American people in the strongest possible terms that these allegations are false.”Still, strong endorsements from McSally and Wilson didn’t ensure a completely smooth hearing for the four-star general. Republican Joni Ernst of Iowa pressed Hyten on complaints that Spletstoser had exhibited toxic leadership at Strategic Command, asking him why he hadn’t acted earlier to address the problem.
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