Senate Republicans say President-elect Trump's pick for Pentagon chief, Pete Hegseth, faces an extremely tough road to Senate confirmation, with his bleak outlook communicated directly to Trump's transition team. He said he is currently considering other options.
Senate officials say there is likely a “firm no” bloc in the Senate Republican conference, including Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Mitch McConnell. (R-Kentucky). I was very skeptical about Hegseth's nomination.
“I don't know if there's really a clear path,” one Republican senator said, adding that his colleagues were “very concerned” about Hegseth's nomination.
The senator added: “It's damaging to the president.” “That doesn’t help in the Senate.”
Mr. Hegseth made a major effort Wednesday to salvage his nomination, including pledging to Republican senators that he would quit drinking if confirmed as defense secretary.
And some Republican senators believe that even though he is a defense hawk, Hegseth is well suited to lead the Pentagon because of his background as a decorated veteran and his tendency to resist bigwigs. It cited a lack of deep ties to a network of Pentagon generals. It changes.
But Republicans could also avoid the headache and embarrassment of a public confirmation hearing in which women who have accused Hegseth of sexual misconduct and former colleagues who have accused him of unprofessional conduct could testify. I also want
Republican lawmakers have said they do not want to publicly call for Hegseth's resignation based on the anonymous allegations. They say the main difference between Hegseth and former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), who recently withdrew his candidacy for attorney general, is that Hegseth's accusers, like Gaetz's accusers, have not filed a sworn affidavit. He claims that he did not testify.
But the accumulation of damaging allegations against the nominee has alarmed Republican senators.
Another Republican senator said Mr. Hegseth appears “on track” to defeat either in the Senate Armed Services Committee or on the Senate floor if he doesn't back down.
He said Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, a staunch Trump ally, has floated Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) as a possible replacement for Hegseth.
Another Republican senator familiar with Trump's deliberations over what to do with Hegseth's nomination said the president-elect himself floated DeSantis' name as a possible replacement.
“I think some of these articles are very disturbing,” Graham told CBS News on Tuesday. “Obviously he has a chance to defend himself here, but it's going to be difficult at times.”
Asked about his conversation with Trump on Wednesday, Graham told The Hill: “I said to him what I've said to other people.”
Mr Graham argued Mr Hegseth should be given a chance to defend himself against allegations of sexual and financial misconduct and excessive drinking.
“I've known him for a long time. All of this is new to me. I'm not going to criticize him because of anonymous sources. Someone has to come forward and make a credible allegation. . He deserves a chance to defend himself. Those who are accusing him of something need to come forward,” Graham said.
“The charges are anonymous. If they are true, he will have a hard time,” he said.
Sen. Kevin Cramer, RN.D., chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said Mr. Hegseth needs to completely stop drinking.
“I have to convince him that he doesn't drink anymore. It may sound too simple, but I also think it's contributing to all of his other problems, namely drug abuse. . . . My own family is no stranger to this problem, and no one wants a secretary of defense with a drinking problem,” Cramer said.
Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi), the incoming chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said Mr. Hegseth promised at a meeting Wednesday morning that he would quit drinking if confirmed.
“I think that's probably a good idea,” Wicker told reporters.
Two sources familiar with the matter confirmed to The Hill that Trump is considering alternative options in case Hegseth is forced to leave, but Trump is still considering Hegseth. has not shown any intention of giving up.
A person familiar with the matter said President Trump has spoken with DeSantis about the prospects for the top Pentagon job, and that DeSantis is open to the role. DeSantis served in the Navy and is aligned with President Trump's vision of eliminating the “woke” side of the military.
Trump and DeSantis met Tuesday at a memorial service for fallen Florida police officers.
Other names listed for the role include Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Elbridge Colby, who served as an aide at the Pentagon during Trump's first term.
A Senate Republican aide said Ernst will need to proceed extremely carefully with Hegseth's nomination if he wants to be confirmed as Trump's Plan B to head the Pentagon.
The person warned that Mr. Ernst would infuriate President Trump's MAGA base if he was seen as the senator responsible for sinking Mr. Hegseth's nomination.
Ernst told reporters he had a “candid and thorough” conversation with Hegseth after meeting with him for 45 minutes on Wednesday afternoon. She refused to accept speculation that she would lead the Pentagon if Hegseth came under fire.
“Pete is the candidate,” she said.
Hegseth shows no signs of backing down.
he Wrote an editorial for the Wall Street Journal He claimed he was the target of a “fabricated media takedown”.
He appeared on Megyn Kelly's “Sirius He compared it to the situation of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
Hegseth's mother, Penelope Hegseth, appeared on “Fox & Friends” to refute a New York Times report about emails she sent him in 2017 criticizing his treatment of women. She has since said she regrets sending the letter.
Penelope Hegseth specifically used her appearance on Fox to appeal to female senators, urging them to keep an open mind about her son's nomination.
“He's a different guy, and I hope people get to know the kind of person Pete is today,” Penelope Hegseth said. “Especially my dear female senators, if you listen to him. Hear Pete's truth in your heart.”
One Trump source said the media onslaught was unusual for a presidential candidate. Even Gaetz didn't try to make up for it by appearing on TV after his nominations slumped.
One Senate Republican aide warned that Hegseth faced a “firm no” block in the meeting, and a second Republican aide predicted more damaging revelations were likely to surface. .
“The situation could worsen at any time,” the second aide said. “An FBI background check wouldn't be fun.”
Al Weaver contributed.
