Donald Trump’s nomination of Pete Hegseth for Defense Secretary was in jeopardy Wednesday as several Republican senators questioned his suitability for the role.
Pete Hegseth, a former Army National Guard officer and Fox News presenter faces allegations of misconduct, including alcohol abuse and a 2017 sexual assault claim, though no charges were filed. Hegseth has denied all accusations.
As Trump’s transition team works to prevent a second Cabinet nominee failure, support from Republicans in Congress is fading. The Pentagon, employing nearly three million people and overseeing a budget that exceeded $1 trillion in fiscal year 2023, is one of the government’s most significant positions.
NBC News reported that up to six Republican senators, including Trump’s close ally Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, have reservations about Hegseth’s confirmation prospects. An email that surfaced, in which Hegseth’s mother labelled him an “abuser of women,” has further complicated matters.
Graham commented to CBS News, “I think some of these articles are disturbing. He has a chance to defend himself here, but some of this stuff will be difficult.”
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With the GOP holding 53 seats in the upcoming Senate, Trump’s nominees could only lose three Republican votes during the January confirmation hearings, assuming all Democrats oppose.
US media speculate that Trump is considering alternatives, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a former primary rival. This potential nomination follows a contentious battle and a tepid reconciliation between Trump and DeSantis, although the governor endorsed Trump post-campaign.
On a critical day for Hegseth, the 44-year-old was scheduled for additional discussions with key Republicans on Capitol Hill and a Fox News interview—his first since the nomination.
