What a Difference a Week Makes: Hegseth’s Confirmation Odds Improve
Pete Hegseth, President-elect Trump’s defense secretary nominee, is back on Capitol Hill this week to meet with more Republican senators, and his confirmation nomination seems to be on firmer ground. After a public declaration of support from Trump, behind-the-scenes efforts by Vice President-elect Senator JD Vance, and Hegseth’s own determination, the nomination appears to have recovered from its earlier uncertainty.
Hegseth stated in an interview on Fox News’ “Hannity” that “we look forward to earning these confirmation votes.” His confirmation is still far from a sure bet, but the tide appears to be turning in his favor.
The development comes as a result of a full-court press by Trump’s political orbit to bolster Hegseth’s nomination, as well as to protect other controversial Cabinet picks. According to a longtime Trump adviser, “if Trump’s world allowed a couple of establishment senators to veto a second nominee, it would have led to a feeding frenzy on Trump’s other nominees.”
Hegseth, an Army National Guard officer, has faced a series of drinking and sexual misconduct allegations, as well as a report alleging he mismanaged a veterans nonprofit organization he once led. He has denied allegations of mistreating women, but did reach a financial settlement with an accuser from a 2017 incident to avoid a lawsuit. If confirmed, Hegseth has vowed not to drink “a drop of alcohol.”
Senator Joni Ernst, a Republican from Iowa and a member of the Armed Services Committee, has publicly expressed her support for Hegseth, stating that “as I support Pete through this process, I look forward to a fair hearing based on truth, not anonymous sources.” Ernst, a conservative lawmaker and a survivor of sexual assault, has a strong legislative record of addressing sexual assault and harassment in the military.