Trump maintains assist for Hegseth
Fox Information senior White Home correspondent Jacqui Heinrich explains the most recent on President-elect Trump publicly supporting his nomination of Pete Hegseth for protection secretary on Reality Social and extra on ‘Particular Report.’
President-elect Trump expressed public assist for embattled protection secretary nominee Pete Hegseth Friday, and the nominee mentioned he had a “substantive conversation” with Sen. Joni Ernst.
Hegseth, a former Nationwide Guard officer, has been assembly with Republican senators this week to rally assist as allegations of sexual misconduct and extreme consuming have surfaced. He has denied any wrongdoing.
Ernst has not dedicated to voting for Hegseth.
“Looks like Pete is doing well now,” Trump informed Kristen Welker on “Meet the Press” Friday. “I mean, people were a little bit concerned. He’s a young guy with a tremendous track record, actually. Went to Princeton, went to Harvard. He was a good student at both, but he loves the military. And I think people are starting to see it. So, we’ll be working on his nomination along with a lot of others.”
PETE HEGSETH SAYS HE WILL BE ‘STANDING RIGHT HERE IN THIS FIGHT’ AFTER MEETING WITH SENATORS
President-elect Trump gave his public assist to embattled protection secretary decide Pete Hegseth Friday, and the nominee mentioned he had a “substantive conversation” with Sen. Joni Ernst. (Allison Robbert-Pool/Getty Photographs; AP Photograph/J. Scott Applewhite)
Trump confirmed he nonetheless has confidence in Hegseth.
“He’s a very smart guy,” Trump mentioned. “I’ve known him through Fox, but I’ve known him for a long time. I mean, he’s basically a military guy. I mean, every time I talk to him, all he wants to talk about is the military.”
Trump mentioned that whereas he did not have assurances from senators that his nomination can be confirmed, he believes he’ll get it by way of.
“I’ve had a lot of senators calling me up saying he’s fantastic,” Trump mentioned.
Requested by Welker in regards to the allegations of extreme consuming, Trump mentioned, “Well, I’ve spoken to people that know him very well, and they say he does not have a drinking problem.”
INCOMING WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY ADDRESSES TRUMP’S SUPPORT OF HEGSETH
Trump additionally supported Hegseth on Reality Social on Friday, writing, “Pete Hegseth is doing very well. His support is strong and deep. He was a great student – Princeton/Harvard educated – with a Military state of mind. He will be a fantastic, high energy, Secretary of Defense, one who leads with charisma and skill. Pete is a WINNER, and there is nothing that can be done to change that.”
Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, speaks to reporters after a closed-door lunch assembly with Senate Republicans on the U.S. Capitol Oct. 17, 2023, in Washington, D.C. ( Drew Angerer/Getty Photographs)
Hegseth wrote on his X account Friday: “I just had another substantive conversation with Senator Ernst, I appreciate her sincere commitment to defense policy, and I look forward to meeting with her again next week.”
Ernst additionally known as their assembly “constructive” on her account, including that the 2 plan to meet once more subsequent week.
“Pete Hegseth and I will continue our constructive conversations as we move forward together in this process. We plan to meet again next week. At a minimum, we agree that he deserves the opportunity to lay out his vision for our warfighters at a fair hearing,” she mentioned.
Vice President-elect JD Vance additionally informed reporters Friday that Hegseth has the incoming administration’s full assist and received’t face a “sham hearing before the American media.”
Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be protection secretary, walks by way of the basement of the Capitol Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photograph/Mark Schiefelbein)
TRUMP FLOATS DESANTIS AS POTENTIAL DEFENSE SECRETARY REPLACEMENT IF HEGSETH FALTERS
“Pete Hegseth is going to get his hearing before the Senate Armed Forces Committee, not a sham hearing before the American media,” Vance informed reporters whereas in North Carolina. “We believe Pete Hegseth is the right guy to lead the Department of Defense. That’s why Trump nominated him. We’re not abandoning this nomination.
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“I totally assist Pete. I believe Pete’s going to get confirmed, and we’re utterly behind him. I’ve talked to Joni [Ernst]. I’ve talked to quite a few my colleagues about this nomination and about different nominations. All I’m asking is individuals truly enable the Senate nomination course of to work. We don’t decide essential authorities officers primarily based on nameless sourcing from the American media.”
