Sen.-elect Jim Banks (R-Ind.) on Thursday announced his support for President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth.
Banks spoke glowingly about Hegseth in a statement released shortly after the meeting Thursday morning.
“Pete Hegseth is a decorated veteran and a patriot who always puts America first. We're focused on making it unique,” Banks said.
“And Pete Hegseth won't back down. He won't back down from the media, he won't back down from the bureaucracy, he won't back down from China, Iran, Russia. He will make America strong again, and our enemies will make us strong again. They will be afraid,” he added.
In a post about X, Mr. Hegseth thanked Mr. Banks for his meeting and support.
“Thank you for your time and supporting your senator.” [Banks]” Hegseth wrote. “I look forward to bringing lethality back to the center of the Department of Defense’s mission.”
Hegseth also had positive talks Thursday with Sen. Rick Scott (R-Florida).
“I just had a great meeting with Pete, the next Secretary of Defense,” Scott told reporters.
“Why I support him is because I respect people who are willing to put on the uniform and lead their troops into battle,” he added.
Scott added that Hegseth will join the Pentagon.With the mindset that he's going to take care of our warfighters. ”
Thursday's fruitful meeting comes after Mr. Hegseth spent a fruitful Wednesday on Capitol Hill. After the meeting, incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-South Carolina), incoming Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker (R-Mich.), and Sen. Eric Schmidt (R-Missouri) All spoke highly of Hegseth.
“I think he's articulated a good vision, a strong vision for the Department of Defense. I think the Department of Defense needs some modernization and reform,” Thune said, according to the newspaper. washington examiner David Sivak, Congress and Campaign Editor;
Wicker said Hegseth was impressed at the meeting, and Schmidt said:[i]It was great to sit together [Hegseth]”
Schmidt too said CNN reported Wednesday afternoon that Hegseth fits into President Trump's reform agenda.
“President Trump has committed to a reform agenda that includes the Department of Defense. And I think so.” pete hegseth I fit that mold,” Schmidt said.
