President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, faced a lukewarm response from Senate Republicans on Wednesday due to allegations about his personal and professional life. Amid doubts about his confirmation, Trump was reportedly considering Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Representative Mike Waltz as alternatives, with Senator Joni Ernst also in the mix, according to sources.
Hegseth, a former Fox News personality and National Guard officer, has been accused of sexual assault, which he denies. Media reports highlight concerns over his alcohol use and allegations of financial and personal misconduct during his tenure at nonprofit groups. Additionally, an email from his mother accusing him of mistreating women has resurfaced, though she later retracted her statement. Hegseth privately settled a 2017 sexual assault allegation, which did not result in criminal charges.
Republican senators, including Joni Ernst and Lisa Murkowski, expressed reservations, while others like Roger Wicker saw no insurmountable obstacles. Hegseth pledged in an interview to abstain from alcohol if confirmed and claimed Trump encouraged him to keep fighting.
Hegseth isn’t the first Trump nominee to face hurdles. Former Representative Matt Gaetz and Sheriff Chad Chronister recently withdrew their bids for Cabinet posts amid misconduct allegations. Trump, however, defended his decisions on social media.
Senator John Thune emphasized that Hegseth must address the “hard questions” raised, while Senator Kevin Cramer insisted the allegations couldn’t be trivialized. With Republicans holding a slim Senate majority, Hegseth can only afford to lose three Republican votes for confirmation. Meanwhile, DeSantis remains a potential contender for the role.
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