Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R.S.D., has begun the process of confirming his thorny defense secretary nominee, Pete Hegseth, by the end of the week.
Despite an affidavit from his former sister-in-law obtained by Senate Democrats saying that Hegseth had an alcohol problem and was abusive to his ex-wife, Samantha Hegseth, Senate Republicans is moving swiftly toward securing Mr. Hegseth's nomination.
Samantha Hegseth released a statement to NBC News denying that there was any “physical abuse” during their marriage.
Thune filed a motion Tuesday to end debate on Pete Hegseth's nomination, which failed on a 14-13 party-line vote in the Senate Armed Services Committee hours after President Trump was sworn into office.
That means the Senate will vote to advance Hegseth's nomination sometime on Thursday, with a final vote sometime on Friday, perhaps early Saturday morning.
Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi) told reporters that Republicans were prepared to work on his confirmation through the weekend.
“Next up is closure and that will be Thursday afternoon,” Wicker told reporters.
Wicker rejected an affidavit from Samantha Hegseth that claimed she once hid in a closet from a candidate because she feared for her safety.
“I have not reviewed that document. My reaction is that I have serious doubts about the substance,” Wicker told reporters.
Wicker pointed to statements by Samantha Hegseth denying there was any physical abuse in the relationship.
“I think the nomination will go forward and the next vote will be on Thursday,” he said.
He said Democrats could postpone a final vote on Hegseth until “late Friday night.”
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R.C.), a prominent Republican vote on national security issues, dismissed the latest allegations.
“I heard what his wife was saying: That didn't happen. I'm tired of things like this being dropped at the last minute,” Graham said.
“There are people who deny physical abuse. That's it for me,” he said.
When Mr. Hegseth's former sister-in-law asked about sworn claims that the candidate frequently drank to excess, Mr. Graham deflected the question by saying, “No, I'm fine.”
He reiterated that he would vote for Hegseth.
Democrats said the affidavit is the latest evidence that Hegseth is unfit to lead the Pentagon.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said, “These first-hand observations are extremely important and reliable, and they are a strong signal to Republicans that Mr. Hegseth is unfit to serve as Secretary of Defense.'' I hope that he will be able to persuade his colleagues.”
“There was no question that Pete Hegseth was neither qualified nor prepared to serve as Secretary of Defense. This affidavit adds further weight to a case already overwhelmingly stacked against him. “It's a thing,” he added.
Senators will move to Hegseth on Thursday after voting later in the day to confirm former Rep. John Ratcliffe (R-Texas) as CIA director.
Republicans sought to confirm Ratcliffe to the post on Tuesday night, but ran into resistance from Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.).
“I think there should be a thorough discussion about Ratcliffe, a man with a history of politicizing intelligence, just as many of us have called for a full debate for nearly all of Biden's Cabinet and deputy Cabinet nominees.” I have real concerns about this,” Murphy told The Hill.
“Now that Republicans have blocked hundreds of Biden's national security nominees and called for a two-day debate on one of the most important members of Trump's national security team, I think it's pretty extravagant to be complaining.”
Thune said Tuesday night that he expects the next procedural vote on Hegseth to take place Thursday, with a final vote late Friday or “possibly” early Saturday morning.
