Washington – Several Republican senators have expressed concerns about President-elect Donald Trump's choice of Pete Hegseth to lead the Defense Department, potentially jeopardizing his intended nomination.
Hegseth, who is meeting with Senate Republicans on Capitol Hill this week to try to drum up support ahead of his confirmation hearing, has faced negative stories involving allegations of sexual misconduct. Financial mismanagement at veterans' charityFrequent drug abuse and infidelity.
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina told reporters on Tuesday, “Some of these articles are very disturbing. Obviously he has a chance to defend himself here, but some of these things are going to be difficult.” “Only time will tell.”
North Dakota Republican Senator Kevin Cramer also said he found the allegations “disturbing” but added, “We all love a good redemption story.” Cramer suggested that Hegseth's alleged behavior arose from alcohol abuse, adding that “almost everything else could have come from that one abuse.”
Republican Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana, who said he had also read the reporting and was aware of the allegations, said Hegseth needed to address them.
“I want to know if they're true and I want to hear their side of the story and they have to address them,” he said Tuesday. He also said he was not convinced that Hegseth's nomination would face adversity.
Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
On Monday, The New Yorker informed Before becoming a full-time Fox News host, Hegseth was forced to step down from two non-profit advocacy groups – Veterans for Freedom and Concerned Veterans for America – amid complaints about his alleged behavior, which included barring him while on the job. The bar involved getting drunk. Hostile work environments and mismanagement of charitable organizations' funds. CBS News informed Jessie Jane Duff, a Marine veteran who served as one of the executive directors of Trump's 2024 campaign, was among those who pressured him in 2016 to kick him out of Concerned Veterans for America.
An attorney for Hegseth has denied the allegations.
Wyoming Republican Senator Cynthia Lummis said Tuesday that the allegations “came as a surprise to all of us” and that his ability to be confirmed by the Senate “depends on how he addresses the issues raised.” Loomis said these allegations were a surprise even for Trump.
“Some of the earlier issues that were raised about an incident in California, I think were addressed satisfactorily and would not have interfered with his nomination, but some of the new things that have come to light in the last 12 to 14 hours “Those are things they need to know,” she said.
Hegseth, an Army veteran turned Fox News star, was investigated for sexual harassment in 2017 In Monterey, California. Authorities declined to file charges in the case, saying none were “supported by evidence beyond a reasonable doubt.” Hegseth told investigators that the sex with the woman was consensual and he denied any wrongdoing. He paid a confidential settlement to the woman out of concern that her allegations could result in his attorney being fired from Fox News Said After the claims became public in mid-November.
But Senator Tommy Tuberville rejected the notion that Trump might have concerns about his choice.
“I spoke to him last night,” the Alabama Republican said Tuesday. “I don't think there is any concern. Why would there be?”
Asked Monday whether he thought the Senate would confirm him to lead the Pentagon, Hegseth said he was “looking at it from meeting to meeting.”
Trump has already asked one Cabinet member to withdraw from the process. Former Florida representative Matt Gaetz pulled his name The idea comes amid investigation into allegations of sex trafficking and illegal drug use, which he denies.
Contributed to this report.