Selection by President-elect Trump Pete Hegseth, who leads the Defense Department, appears to be on track to gain sufficient GOP support in the Senate, despite facing a host of allegations ranging from sexual assault to heavy drinking and mismanagement of funds, all of which he denies.
One Republican senator told Fox News Digital that they were not aware of any GOP senators who were “strongly opposed” to confirming Hegseth.
Hegseth “certainly” does not They added that he appears to be in a position where he may feel pressure to withdraw.
Pete Hegseth makes his way to meet with Senator Ted Budd, R-North Carolina, at the Russell Building on Tuesday, December 3, 2024. (Tom Williams/Getty Images)
This is very different from the scene of former Rep. Matt Gaetz, Trump's previous pick for attorney general, who faced multiple final “no” votes from senators.
Faced with a significant lack of support that was openly embraced behind closed doors, Gaetz withdrew from the process just days after being selected.
Republicans will hold a 53-47 majority in the next Senate, and there is only room for Trump's nominees to lose some GOP votes, assuming no Democrats choose to support them.
Gaetz withdrew from the confirmation process. (Reuters)
However, as the Republican senator relayed, it does not appear that Hegseth has lost any Senate Republicans at this point, including more moderate lawmakers like Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska.
Hegseth met with them this week on Capitol Hill. According to Collins, “I had a good substantive discussion that lasted over an hour.”
“We've covered a wide range of topics from defense procurement reforms to the role of women in the military, sexual assault in the military. Ukraine, NATO, a wide range of issues. And obviously I always wait until we do an FBI background check and do that.” “There is one ongoing in Mr. Hegseth's case, and I am waiting to see the committee hearing before a final decision is reached.”
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Collins met Hegseth over a long period of time. (Mark McKeel)
Murkowski declined to discuss her meeting with Hegseth, a former Fox News anchor, when asked by reporters.
He also met with Trump's chosen Defense Secretary twice Sin. Joni Ernst, Republican from Iowa. After their first meeting earlier this month, Ernst admitted on Fox News that she wasn't sold on Hegseth yet. But after their second meeting this week, she issued a statement saying: “While I support Pete through this process, I look forward to a fair hearing based on the truth, not anonymous sources.”
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Ernest and Hegseth met twice. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
Ernst is the first female veteran elected to the Senate and is also a member of the Armed Services Committee. She is also a survivor of sexual assault, which Hegseth has been accused of but denied.
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This changing tide, which appears to favor Hegseth's confirmation, was explained by Sen. Markwayne Mullen, R-Oklahoma, to reporters. “You can feel the difference this week compared to last week,” he said.
“Kash (Patel) won't have a problem. Tulsi (Gabbard) won't have a problem. People will ask the questions they need to ask, but it will be confirmed,” he added of other somewhat controversial matters. Trump chooses.
