[Donald Trump’s Allies Scramble to Save Pete Hegseth Amid Allegations
Donald Trump’s allies are working to save Pete Hegseth, the president-elect’s pick to lead the Pentagon, after he struggled to win over skeptical Republicans in a flurry of meetings on Capitol Hill this week. Trump is still standing by Hegseth, telling him he wants to see him fight for votes in the Senate, but sources close to both told CNN that the president-elect could withdraw his support at any time.
Hegseth’s confirmation is in jeopardy amid a series of allegations related to drinking and sexual misconduct that have emerged since he was chosen for the role. While no Republican senators have publicly said they will not back Hegseth, many have said they have concerns that they need addressed before they can get behind him.
Trump’s continued backing of Hegseth is part of the reason he has appeared more bullish this week, sources said. “I spoke to Trump this morning just a few minutes ago. He supports us fully,” Hegseth told CNN Thursday.
Sources familiar with the matter argued that the situation with Hegseth is not the same as what unfolded with Trump’s attorney general pick, Matt Gaetz, who withdrew his name last month after Trump told him he did not have the votes to get confirmed. “This is very different than the situation with Matt Gaetz. With Gaetz, you had multiple members who were legitimate hard no’s, whereas with Pete, I don’t think there’s a single actual hard no on the GOP side of the Senate right now,” one Trump world adviser told CNN.
However, Trump’s support for Hegseth could wane if more allegations surface. Trump’s transition team was blindsided by a 2017 sexual assault allegation against Hegseth – and then again after a related police report surfaced. Hegseth has denied the allegation, claiming the encounter was consensual, and no charges were filed.
Some close to Trump believe that if Hegseth can survive over the next week, he will be Trump’s nominee, though he still will have to get through his confirmation hearing early next year. Trump’s team has been watching Hegseth’s meetings with senators very closely to gauge where they stand – with a particular focus on female senators like Ernst. Hegseth has repeatedly denied the allegations that have imperiled his confirmation and his attorney Timothy Parlatore argued to CNN’s Jake Tapper on Wednesday that they were “anonymous.”
Pete Hegseth met with Ernst on Wednesday, but the senator declined to throw her support behind him. The Iowa Republican confirmed during an interview on Fox News Thursday that she was not yet ready to back him. “I think you are right,” Ernst responded. “I think, for 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.”
Another Republican on the Armed Services Committee, Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota, said after his meeting with Hegseth Thursday that he still sees a path for him, but is not ready to commit to backing him – yet. “I really do see a path forward for him to be successful in being accepted by the Senate for this position, but he’s got more work to do,” Rounds said. “I think he’s capable of doing that and I think the open hearings will help, so that he can respond publicly to the allegations that have been made – and, as near as I can tell, the vast majority of them anonymously.”
Source link