Trump allies work to save Hegseth in key test of president-elect’s relationship with Senate GOP
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Donald Trump’s allies are working hard to secure Pete Hegseth’s confirmation as Secretary of Defense, following a series of meetings in Washington, D.C., that highlighted concerns among Republican senators. While Trump continues to support Hegseth, who was chosen for the role, the former Fox News host faces growing skepticism from some in the Senate, jeopardizing his chances of securing the position.
Trump’s backing is crucial, and he has encouraged Hegseth to continue lobbying for votes in the Senate. However, sources close to the president-elect acknowledge that Trump could withdraw his support if the situation worsens. Despite this, some of Trump’s allies remain hopeful, asserting that Hegseth still has a path to confirmation. But Senate dynamics can change quickly, and Republican senators have expressed reservations about Hegseth due to allegations of misconduct that have surfaced in recent days. No GOP senator has publicly committed to opposing him, but many have indicated they need reassurances before they can offer their support.
Hegseth’s confirmation has become a crucial early test for Trump’s relationship with Senate Republicans. Some of Trump’s supporters warn that yielding to Senate pressure could signal weakness, especially after the president-elect lost a cabinet nominee earlier in the transition. They argue that Trump should not allow the Senate to control his decisions on key appointments.
Despite the opposition, Hegseth has remained optimistic. He told CNN that Trump continues to support him and that he is committed to clearing up the allegations against him. Hegseth, who has been accused of alcohol abuse and sexual misconduct, took to conservative media and social platforms to deny the allegations, calling them unfounded. He emphasized that he had changed as a person, insisting that past mistakes should not disqualify him from the role.
Unlike the situation with Trump’s previous attorney general pick, Matt Gaetz, who withdrew after facing opposition, Trump has not personally made calls to senators to rally support for Hegseth. Instead, Trump’s transition team has handled the negotiations, with Vice President-elect JD Vance, a supporter of Hegseth, engaging in discussions with Republican colleagues.
Some GOP senators have raised questions about Hegseth’s fitness for the role, and Trump’s team has been working to convince them to fall in line. They point out that President Joe Biden’s defense secretary, Lloyd Austin, received 93 votes from Republicans, urging GOP senators to back Hegseth for consistency’s sake. Donald Trump Jr. also weighed in on social media, criticizing GOP senators who voted for Austin but were hesitant to support Hegseth.
However, the emerging allegations against Hegseth have raised doubts among some members of Trump’s team. Transition staff have expressed frustration that Hegseth failed to disclose certain information during the vetting process. There are also concerns over rumors that Trump is considering other candidates for the role, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Senator Joni Ernst from Iowa. Ernst’s potential candidacy has sparked speculation, but she has denied any interest in the position.
Some close to Hegseth suspect that Senators Ernst and Lindsey Graham may be working to block his confirmation in hopes of making Ernst a contender for the role instead. These rumors were strongly denied by both senators, with Graham calling them false. Despite the growing pressure, Hegseth’s allies are optimistic that if he can weather this storm, he will ultimately be Trump’s nominee.
Trump’s transition team is closely monitoring Hegseth’s meetings with key Republican senators. Among the most important are female senators like Ernst, who have been hesitant to support him. In one instance, Hegseth’s mother appeared in an interview, urging senators to look past the media reports and listen to her son’s side of the story. Hegseth himself continued to deny the allegations in interviews and argued that most of the claims were anonymous.
Although some GOP senators are still undecided, there is a sense that Hegseth might be able to secure the votes needed to advance his confirmation. Senator Mike Rounds of South Dakota expressed cautious optimism after meeting with Hegseth, noting that he could still succeed if he effectively addresses the allegations during upcoming hearings.
At the same time, Senate Democrats are weighing whether to press for more information about Hegseth’s past actions. They are considering subpoenas to investigate his tenure at Concerned Veterans for America, where he was president, amid allegations of misconduct at the organization. The incoming Republican-controlled Senate would likely curb these efforts, leaving Democrats with limited time to act.
The intense focus on Hegseth’s nomination has shifted some attention away from Trump’s other Cabinet picks. For many of the president-elect’s nominees, Hegseth’s confirmation has served as a distraction, allowing them to proceed with their own Senate meetings without as much scrutiny. However, with his confirmation still uncertain, Hegseth remains in the political spotlight, and his fate could shape the future dynamics between Trump and Senate Republicans.
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