Pete Hegseth returned to Capitol Hill Thursday in hopes of saving his troubled nomination for defense secretary as a key senator signaled she’s still not sold on his bid.
The controversial Fox News host was set to meet with a few of the senators who will determine his fate and sounded a confident note about what he claims is President-elect Trump’s continued support.
“Maybe it’s time for a (defense secretary) who has… led in combat,” tweeted Hegseth, a veteran who has faced allegations of excessive alcohol use and sexual harassment.
Hegseth failed to immediately win over Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), who is considered a key vote because she is a decorated veteran who survived sex assault in the military.
“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 process,” said Ernst, a day after a closed-doors Wednesday meeting with Hegseth. “The vetting will continue, I am certain, through the next month or so until we approach that hearing date.”
Hegseth Thursday was expected to meet with five more GOP senators including Rick Scott of Florida, Jim Banks of Indiana, Tom Cotton of Arkansas and Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, all staunch pro-Trump loyalists, as well as Sen. Mike Rounds (R-South Dakota), a figure from the party’s establishment wing.
Vote-counters say Hegseth is still well short of winning over 50 of the 53 available Republican votes he needs to win confirmation in hearings that will take place in the new year.
Although Hegseth has said he retains Trump’s strong support, the president-elect has reportedly not been actively working to twist arms on his behalf.
Team Trump also confirmed reports that the once and future commander-in-chief has spoken directly to one-time bitter rival Ron DeSantis about potentially taking Hegseth’s spot if his nomination goes down in flames.
Hegseth’s nomination was controversial from the start because of his lack of extensive management or high-level command experience along with his statements opposing women serving in combat roles.
He’s since been rocked by a string of revelations about sexual harassment and even a rape allegation along with many claims of excessive alcohol use.
He has denied ever having a drinking problem and has promised senators that he will not drink if he wins confirmation.
