Democratic National Committee (DNC) Finance Committee Member Lindy Lee appears to be backing President-elect Trump's nominee for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, as the former Fox News host is confirmed by the Senate for the party's top post. It's a big turnaround from the recent intense scrutiny he's been under while waiting for his release. pentagon.
“Maybe they're looking for someone to oppose the nomination, but I actually have a personal connection…I've been on Fox & Friends, and I've met Pete. And he's a fellow Princetonian. I actually think he's a pretty good guy,” Lee said on NewsNation's “Morning in America.”
After receiving a somewhat surprised response from host Marky Martin, Lee added, “I'm just here to tell you the facts that I know.”
Hegseth has come under fire over allegations of sexual assault related to consensual encounters and previous comments about not allowing women to serve in combat roles in the military.
He also faces allegations of excessive drinking. of The New Yorker reported on Sunday that Hegseth was forced to resign by two nonprofit advocacy organizations he ran due to financial mismanagement, sexual misconduct, and excessive drinking; NBC News reported on Tuesday. Hegseth's drinking reportedly worried his colleagues at Fox News, where he was a weekend host until earlier this month.
A New York Times article alleges that Hegseth's mother emailed him in 2018, accusing him of “routinely abusing women for years” and having a “lack of character.” It was reported that he accused him of showing. His mother, Penelope Hegseth, later recanted those comments, but apologized for the original email, saying she sent it “out of anger and emotion” as her son and wife were going through a divorce. .
Despite the backlash, Hegseth has vowed not to back down, even though he faces a tough battle in the Senate. Senate Republicans appeared disappointed in Hegseth's chances of confirmation.
Mr. Hegseth met with Sens. Mike Rounds (R-Ark.), Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) and Sen.-elect Jim Banks (R-Ind.) on Thursday to seek support within his party. brought together. Republican Conference.
But Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), who some believe is one of the Republicans withholding support from Hegseth, said on Fox News' “America's Newsroom” declined to express support for Hegseth when asked in an interview. But the Iowa senator said a second meeting is expected next week as Hegseth continues to make his pitch to lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
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