President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Defense Department, Pete Hegseth, is facing growing opposition from Senate Republicans due to allegations of drinking and mistreatment of women. At least six Senate Republicans, including Sen. Joni Ernst, are not comfortable supporting Hegseth’s nomination, and more are expected to join them as new revelations about his past continue to be made public.
Hegseth, a former Fox News host and Army National Guard veteran, has been accused of sexually assaulting a woman in California in 2017, and has also been accused of mistreating women and drinking excessively while at Fox News. Despite his denials, Hegseth has paid an undisclosed amount to settle one of the allegations.
Some Senate Republicans, including Sen. Lindsey Graham, have expressed concerns about Hegseth’s behavior and have called for him to explain the allegations in a way that would make senators comfortable voting to confirm him. However, other Republicans, including Sen. Cynthia Lummis, have downplayed the allegations, calling them a “side issue” and saying that Hegseth has earned a great deal of credibility.
Given the slim Republican majority in the next Congress, Hegseth can afford to lose only three GOP votes, assuming all Democrats vote against him. However, with at least six Republicans already expressing opposition, his nomination is in jeopardy.