[Pete Hegseth’s Bid to Lead Pentagon Hits Snag Amid Allegations of Drinking and Sexual Misconduct
Pete Hegseth’s bid to lead the Pentagon is stuck in limbo as he fiercely battles allegations of drinking and sexual misconduct. A top Trump transition source had described Wednesday as “absolutely critical” for Hegseth’s confirmation hopes, and he threw himself into his task, meeting Republican senators, offering to quit alcohol if he’s confirmed, and mounting fiery rearguards on the Megyn Kelly radio show and in a Wall Street Journal op-ed.
As of now, Trump is standing by Hegseth, sources close to both men told CNN’s Kristen Holmes. Trump and those around him still see a pathway for Hegseth to be confirmed and argued that the current situation was not the same as what unfolded with Trump’s attorney general pick Matt Gaetz, who withdrew his name after Trump told him he did not have the votes to get confirmed.
Hegseth has new meetings planned with senators on Thursday, including one with Tom Cotton from Arkansas, who is a prominent Trump supporter and key Republican voice on defense matters. The most important meeting on Hegseth’s schedule was with Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst, a combat veteran, campaigner against sexual harassment in the military and a possible replacement pick for defense secretary if he falls short.
Hegseth’s position seemed as tenuous Thursday morning as it was 24 hours earlier. But he was back on Capitol Hill and told CNN he had spoken with the president-elect, who told him to keep fighting. “I spoke to Trump this morning just a few minutes ago. He supports us fully,” Hegseth said. “I’m here because of Donald Trump. If he didn’t want me to be here, then I wouldn’t be.”
The question of Hegseth’s alcohol use, which could be a concern given the grave responsibilities of the secretary of defense, was underscored by reporting from The New Yorker over the weekend about his tenure leading veterans’ advocacy groups. Other reports have also emerged about Hegseth’s conduct while employed at Fox News.
Hegseth has denied the sexual assault allegation from 2017, claiming the encounter was consensual, and in which no charges were filed. He has also been accused of excessive drinking and has denied having a drinking problem.
Hegseth’s vow of temperance was welcomed by North Dakota Sen. Kevin Cramer, one of several Republican senators who have said that Trump’s pick would have to answer questions about allegations against him. Hegseth’s chances hinge on winning over more senators like Cramer, which may require lowering the heat around his candidacy. Any fresh allegations against him might begin to throw his prospects even more into question.
Growing talk about Ernst and DeSantis as possible replacements may also be bad news for Hegseth, because it’s likely that some senators will view the Iowa senator and Florida governor as potentially superior defense secretaries. A number of Republican senators have told reporters they hold Ernst in high regard. And she and DeSantis would have a far clearer path to confirmation than Hegseth.
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