President-elect Trump's nominee for defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, faced intense scrutiny Tuesday from Republican senators following a series of new revelations over the weekend, including allegations of past alcohol abuse and sexual misconduct. did.
“I think some of these articles are very disturbing,” Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., told CBS News. “Obviously he has a chance to defend himself here, but it's going to be difficult at times.”
At least six senators are considered cautious, including Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), who have not changed their stance on Hegseth.
Collins told CNN that the Senate “needs an FBI background check to evaluate the charges, must conduct a questionnaire about his background through the normal committee process, and must hold a hearing. ” he said.
Ms. Ernst said she would meet with Mr. Hegseth later this week to “hear his side of things” and “have a really frank and thorough conversation.”
In another sign that Hegseth's nomination could be in trouble, Hegseth was scheduled to meet with the House Republican Investigation Committee on Wednesday, a person familiar with the meeting told The Hill. House members do not have a vote on Hegseth's nomination, but could use the session to increase pressure on Republican senators to support him.
Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), a key ally of Mr. Trump, said he still believed Mr. Hegseth could win confirmation.
“I think it's difficult, but it's doable,” he said.
NBC News reported on Tuesday. At least six senators say they are “not comfortable” supporting Hegseth. But several senators came to his defense, including Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.).
“Are soldiers sometimes wild children? Yes, that can happen, but this man was born in Pete, at a time when Americans were losing confidence in their military and their ability to project power around the world. Hegseth is clearly the answer to that concern, Lummis said, according to Politico.
The former Fox News host returned to the Capitol on Tuesday with his wife, former Fox News producer Jennifer Cunningham Rouchet, to meet with senators for the third time since last month.
“I appreciate the opportunity to meet with the senators. This is a great opportunity to hear their ideas and take an advisory and consensus role,” Hegseth told reporters as he entered the meeting in the Russell Senate Building. We welcome that and will continue it.” his wife.
new york times reported on Friday Hegseth's mother, Penelope Hegseth, emailed him in 2018 as he was divorcing his second wife, Samantha Dearing, a colleague at Vets for Freedom, after having a child out of wedlock. He had accused Hegseth of abusing women. Laschet.
The Trump campaign later called the release of the emails “despicable,” and Penelope Hegseth told the Times that she sent a follow-up message at the time apologizing for her comments.
of The New Yorker reported on Sunday Mr. Hegseth was forced to resign by two nonprofit advocacy organizations he ran, citing mismanagement of funds, sexual misconduct and excessive drinking, the company said. NBC News reported on Tuesday Hegseth's drinking also worried his colleagues at Fox News, where he served as weekend host until earlier this month.
Mr. Hegseth was scheduled to meet with Sens. Ted Budd (R-Idaho), Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Eric Schmidt (R-Missouri) on Tuesday. It would take just four Republican senators to join all Senate Democrats in blocking his nomination.
Senate Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), whose committee is in charge of Nominating Hegseth, told reporters that concerns about veterans are “growing more and more every day.” Ta.
“There is increasing evidence that he is unfit to serve as Secretary of Defense,” he said Tuesday.
Asked if any whistleblowers had contacted his office regarding Hegseth, Blumenthal said, “We've had a number of people contact us who have information.” People came to me personally. So I think there's probably something more to come. ”
Hegseth did not respond to allegations of drunkenness and sexual misconduct against him ahead of Tuesday's meeting.
Budd and Schmidt, who serve on the Senate Armed Services Committee, have expressed support for Hegseth. Mr. Hegseth is a decorated veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan. Risch, the incoming chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has yet to declare public support for him.
Mr. Hegseth also visited the Capitol grounds on Monday to meet with Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) and Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), and then spoke with about a dozen Republican senators. I met with a group of Politico reported.
In an editorial published later Social platformTuberville voiced strong support for Hegseth, calling him “not beholden to the military-industrial complex” and someone who would “clean up” the Pentagon.
Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), when asked whether allegations of abuse of women and excessive drinking could derail his nomination, suggested that Hegseth's charges were not unique. .
“I don't think that's new in Washington, D.C.,” Cornyn said, referring to “both” allegations.
One Senate Republican official said the path to confirmation won't be easy, as the time between nomination and possible Pentagon win will give critics more time to stir up debate in the media. did.
Hegseth was appointed to the post on Nov. 3, a full three weeks before Gen. James Mattis was appointed in 2016 and almost a month before Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin was appointed in 2020. It is.
The former “Fox & Friends” personality has been controversial since her nomination was announced due to her lack of experience leading major organizations like the Department of Defense and her opposition to women serving in combat roles. thought to be a person.
Hegseth remains on the defensive over sexual assault allegations stemming from an incident at a Republican party event in California in 2017. He claims the encounter was consensual.
Jason Miller, a senior adviser to President Trump, said Tuesday he had “no concerns” about Hegseth.
“I'm very pleased with his position as confirmed by the Senate,” Miller told CNN.
Al Weaver and Emily Brooks contributed reporting.
This article was updated at 7:39 p.m.
