Republican Senator Joni Ernst, a combat veteran and survivor of sexual assault expressed reservations on Thursday about supporting Pete Hegseth's nomination as Secretary of Defense. Her hesitation casts doubt on the confirmation prospects for President-elect Donald Trump’s controversial pick.
Ernst, a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, stated she has not yet reached a decision and emphasized the need for further scrutiny of the allegations against Hegseth following their meeting on Wednesday. "Some of our senators want to ensure that any allegations have been thoroughly vetted," Ernst said in a Fox News interview. "That’s why we need an extensive vetting process."
Hegseth, 44, an Army National Guard veteran with service in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Guantanamo Bay, has received criticism for his limited management experience. If confirmed, he would oversee 1.3 million active-duty military personnel and nearly 1 million civilian employees. Despite ongoing concerns, Hegseth has pledged to fight for the position, describing his meeting with Ernst as “excellent.” On social media, he highlighted his military credentials, tweeting, "Maybe it's time for a @SecDef who has... led in combat. Been on patrol for days. Pulled a trigger."
Hegseth’s nomination faces significant challenges amid allegations of professional and personal misconduct. Reports have surfaced about heavy drinking and a 2017 sexual assault accusation outlined in a police report. Although no charges were filed, he privately settled with the alleged victim.
Senate Republicans, who will hold a 53-47 majority in the upcoming term, can afford to lose no more than three votes if Democrats unanimously oppose the nomination. Senator-elect Jim Banks has voiced strong support for Hegseth, stating, “Pete is focused on what I’m focused on: getting wokeness out of the military and making our Department of Defense lethal again.”
Hegseth spent Thursday meeting with more Republican senators, including members of the Armed Services Committee, which oversees Pentagon operations. Discussions reportedly included military readiness and reducing waste. Despite his support among some Republicans, his past statements opposing women in combat roles and criticizing diversity initiatives in the military have sparked further controversy, complicating his path to confirmation.
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