Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for secretary of defense, celebrated a “great meeting” with Sen. Joni Ernst after the Iowa Republican delayed endorsing Cabinet nominees.
“It was a great meeting. People don't really know about this. I've known Sen. Ernst for over 10 years, when she was a state senator running to be the first female veteran. I knew her from,'' Hegseth told Fox News. Sean Hannity gave an exclusive interview on Monday night. “And we supported her in that effort and continued to do that.”
“When you go to these meetings, you get to hear from your senators. It's a great advice and consent process. And you see how thoughtful the senators are on these important issues that concern the Department of Defense. You can ask if they are serious and substantive,” he continued. “And Joni Ernst is a central figure in that. So being able to have multiple calls and meetings to discuss issues is really, really important. The fact that she's supporting me through this process is so It’s meaningful.”
After second meeting with Hegseth, Ernst suggests whether she supports confirmation
President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for secretary of defense, Pete Hegseth, walks with his wife Jennifer Rausche (left) to meet with Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. while giving a thumbs up. , Monday, December 9, 2024, at the Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Hegseth spends his days meeting with Republican senators on Capitol Hill to drum up support as he battles allegations of sexual misconduct, excessive drinking and mismanagement of a veterans nonprofit. There is. Hegseth has denied the allegations and vowed not to drink “a single drop of alcohol” if confirmed by Trump's cabinet.
Pete Hegseth says after meeting with senators: “I'm going to stand here and fight this fight.''
During Mr. Hegseth's meeting on Monday, he also spoke again with Mr. Ernst, who serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee, after meeting last week.
Mr. Ernst last week suspended his intention to vote for Mr. Hegseth, but on Monday he indicated he was beginning to support Trump.
Ernst wrote “I will support Pete throughout this process and look forward to a fair hearing based on truth, not anonymous sources,” he said in a statement Monday.
In a statement, she said, “After our encouraging conversations, Pete will complete a full audit of the Department of Defense and select senior officials based on quality and standards, not quotas, to protect the roles and values of service members and service members. “I promised,” he added. Someone who prioritizes and strengthens my work to prevent sexual assault within the ranks. ”
Secretary of Defense candidate Pete Hegseth joins Fox News' Sean Hannity. (Fox News)
President Trump nominated Hegseth, a former National Guardsman, as deputy secretary. Secretary of Defense last monthsaid, “With Pete in command, America's enemies will be on guard – our military will be great again and America will never back down.” Hegseth was the host of “Fox & Friends Weekend” before Trump's nomination.
Fox News Digital reported on Sunday that Trump's allies have stalled expressing support for Trump's defense secretary nomination after Ernst was initially hesitant to support Hegseth. It is expected that there will be more criticism of her.
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“It’s really simple: If you oppose President Trump’s nominees, you oppose Trump’s policies and you pay a political price for that. We're well aware that there are certain establishment senators who are trying to tank presidential nominees in order to intimidate them.''It's weakening and politically damaging, but we don't want to do that.'' I’m not going to forgive him,” a prominent ally of President Trump told Fox News Digital.
Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) speaks with reporters after the weekly Senate Republican Policy Luncheon at the U.S. Capitol on February 14, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
During his interview with Hannity, Mr. Hegseth also met with Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins, two of the Republican senators whom Mr. Hannity identifies as more liberal than his colleagues. He continued that it was planned.
“I'm going to meet with Sen. Collins on Wednesday and Sen. Murkowski on Tuesday. Sean, I'm telling you, the founders got this right. This is not an easy process. This is the real deal. “I am the president's choice, and I am very grateful that President Trump trusted me and chose me to lead the Department of Defense.'' Armed Services Committee members, they all have great questions, and my answers are for them,” Hegseth said.
The Secretary of Defense nominee also denied allegations of wrongdoing during the interview, claiming that “the left is trying to make this a trial in the media, a show trial, and we're not going to allow that.”
“I'm going to stand in front of all of these senators, just as an open book, and I'm going to be happy to answer their questions because they deserve to be answered. We've heard great things about the senators and the questions they want to ask and we look forward to getting those votes and ultimately votes through committees and the full U.S. Senate. It is important to acquire the
President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for secretary of defense, Pete Hegseth, is accompanied by his wife, Jennifer Laschet, as they walk through the basement of the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Dozens of prominent veterans sign letter supporting 'outstanding' Hegseth's nomination amid controversy
Trump has lost confidence in his nominee last week after Democrats denounced the pick and some Republicans, including Sen. Lindsey Graham, said the allegations against Hegseth were “alarming.” A report surfaced. Trump doubled down on his support for Hegseth in a post on Truth Social on Friday and refuted the claims, but Vice President-elect J.D. Vance also said the Trump campaign “has no intention of abandoning this nomination.” said.
Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump takes the stage during a campaign rally at Desert Diamond Arena on August 23, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. The rally, held in partnership with Turning Point PAC and Turning Point Action, comes two weeks after Democratic presidential candidate and U.S. Vice President Harris held a rally at the same location. (Rebecca Noble/Getty Images)
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“Pete Hegseth is doing very well. His support is strong and strong,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Friday. “He will be a great, energetic Secretary of Defense and someone who will lead with charisma and skill. Pete is a winner and there is nothing he can do to change that!!!”
Fox News Digital's Cameron Cawthorne and Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report.
