WASHINGTON (AP) — A defiant Pete Hegseth fought Wednesday to protect Donald Trump’s nomination to be secretary of defense. It comes as the president-elect weighs possible successors amid mounting questions about the former Fox News host’s personal conduct and ability to win Senate confirmation.
Mr Hegseth met with lawmakers at the Capitol and in a radio interview denied the allegations of sexual assault and excessive drinking, insisting he was “not taking a step back” and that Mr Trump still supported him. But the president-elect’s team was considering alternatives, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Mr. Trump himself remained silent about Mr. Hegseth, but on Wednesday he issued a flurry of statements on social media about other candidates and his coverage.
Hegseth is the latest candidate to be compromised by personal baggage, following the recent withdrawal of President Trump’s first attorney general nominee, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, who had well-documented vulnerabilities. person. But Hegseth’s past was not widely known, including the revelation that he paid a settlement after being accused of sexual assault, which he denied.
Trump’s transition team has become increasingly concerned about Hegseth’s path to Senate confirmation and is actively considering candidates to replace him, according to people familiar with the matter. Three other people said DeSantis, who ran against Trump for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, is being considered as an option if Hegseth’s nomination does not move forward. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss internal deliberations.
In addition to DeSantis, there are also discussions about moving Michael Walz, President Trump’s pick for national security adviser, to the Pentagon, another person familiar with the matter said on condition of anonymity. It is said that there was The Florida congressman is a retired Army National Guard officer and military veteran.
Trump’s aides don’t want to be caught in the dark if his first pick falls through.
Hegseth told reporters as he toured the Capitol that he had received a new message of support from President Trump.
“I spoke to the president this morning. He has my full support. We’re not going anywhere,” Hegseth said. He ignored questions about the allegations he faced.
Hegseth, accompanied by his wife, met privately with Republican senators before moving to the House of Representatives to meet with members. Although House members have no direct role in the confirmation process, conservatives could have significant influence on the debate.
Trump’s transition team did not immediately comment. The Wall Street Journal first reported Tuesday night that Trump was considering DeSantis.
Hegseth said in an interview recorded Wednesday on Megyn Kelly’s Sirius .
“Not a single person has looked me in the eye and said, ‘I have concerns,'” Hegseth said, citing a meeting at the Capitol, adding, “We’re not taking a step back.”
In 2017, Hegseth paid a woman who accused him of sexual assault at a California hotel after speaking at a Republican event. His lawyer said the payment was to avoid the threat of baseless litigation.
Asked if Kelly had sexually assaulted the woman, Hegseth said: “Absolutely not.” He called it a “really unfortunate situation” and said he paid her because “I had to do it” and claimed her lawyer told her to “keep him out.”
He declined to say how much he paid, but said he paid to protect his wife, himself and his job.
He said it was a “fair characterization” to call him a serial cheater who cheated on all three of his wives. “Was I a perfect person? I never was,” he said.
Hegseth flatly denies having a drinking problem, saying he won’t drink while serving as defense secretary and vowing to “never drink at all.” He likened this to following the Department of Defense’s General Order No. 1, which bans alcohol consumption for deployed troops.
Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin, who joined Mr. Hegseth in the meeting with House Republicans, defended Mr. Hegseth, saying: We nominate Pete because of who he is today, not what he did seven years ago or five years ago or whatever it was. ”
Earlier, Hegseth’s mother appeared on Fox News and addressed some of the allegations.
Penelope Hegseth spoke on “Fox & Friends” about her son and a 2018 email obtained by The New York Times in which he told her son that he had impregnated his current wife while she was married to their second son. I questioned my son about the abuse of women. wife.
The letter followed the 2017 allegations, as well as multiple allegations of questionable conduct involving female staffers reported in The New Yorker this week.
On Tuesday, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R.S.C., said some of the reports were “alarming” and said “we want to make sure every young woman who joins the military feels respected and welcomed.” I want to do that,” he told CBS News.
Penelope Hegseth implored lawmakers to listen to her son and give him a chance.
“I think we can overcome that,” Penelope Hegseth said.
Hegseth is a former Fox News host and a former Army National Guard major who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. If confirmed by the Senate, he would lead a 2 million-strong military, more than 17 percent of whom are women. The revelations are worrying some lawmakers.
Hegseth said in an interview that although he doesn’t know how all this will turn out, he is relieved that he has “fighted the haters and the liars” and fought for it, adding that “the future is in God’s hands.” added.
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