Pete Hegseth returned to Capitol Hill Thursday in hopes of saving his troubled nomination for protection secretary as a key senator signaled she’s nonetheless not offered on his bid.
“Maybe it’s time for a (defense secretary) who has… led in combat,” tweeted Hegseth, a veteran who has confronted allegations of extreme alcohol use and sexual harassment.
U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) speaks to reporters as she walks to a Senate luncheons on the U.S. Capitol on November 19, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Picture by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Pictures)
Hegseth failed to right away win over Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), who is taken into account a key vote as a result of she is a embellished veteran who survived intercourse assault within the army.
“A number of our senators, they want to make sure that any allegations have been cleared and that’s why we have to have a very thorough vetting process,” stated Ernst, a day after a closed-doors Wednesday assembly with Hegseth. “The vetting will continue, I am certain, through the next month or so until we approach that hearing date.”
Hegseth Thursday was anticipated to fulfill with 5 extra GOP senators together with Rick Scott of Florida, Jim Banks of Indiana, Tom Cotton of Arkansas and Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, all staunch pro-Trump loyalists, in addition to Sen. Mike Rounds (R-South Dakota), a determine from the social gathering’s institution wing.
Vote-counters say Hegseth continues to be effectively in need of profitable over 50 of the 53 out there Republican votes he must win affirmation in hearings that can happen within the new yr.
Though Hegseth has stated he retains Trump’s sturdy help, the president-elect has reportedly not been actively working to twist arms on his behalf.
Group Trump additionally confirmed experiences that the as soon as and future commander-in-chief has spoken on to one-time bitter rival Ron DeSantis about probably taking Hegseth’s spot if his nomination goes down in flames.
Hegseth’s nomination was controversial from the beginning due to his lack of intensive administration or high-level command expertise alongside along with his statements opposing girls serving in fight roles.
He’s since been rocked by a string of revelations about sexual harassment and even a rape allegation together with many claims of extreme alcohol use.
He has denied ever having a ingesting drawback and has promised senators that he is not going to drink if he wins affirmation.
