WASHINGTON, D.C. – President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for defense secretary, Minnesota native Pete Hegseth, said he has the former president’s continued support amid reports his nomination may be in jeopardy.
“I spoke to the president this morning, he supports me fully. We’re not going anywhere,” he told reporters Wednesday on Capitol Hill after meeting with Republican senators throughout the day.
His remarks came after multiple reports Trump may be having second thoughts about naming the Forest Lake native as defense secretary and could turn to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to fill the role.
An increasing number of lawmakers have raised concerns Hegseth may face a difficult time getting through the confirmation process after allegations of sexual assault and alcohol abuse have come to light.
Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., who sits on the Senate Armed Services Committee, which will weigh Hegseth’s nomination, said he would like to see Hegseth pledge not to drink. “It would help me a lot,” he told reporters Wednesday.
Asked whether he thinks Hegseth will make it through the confirmation process, Cramer said he wasn’t sure. “I think people are ready to give him the benefit of the doubt if they can have commitments from him about things going forward,” he said.
A simple majority of committee members would need to approve his nomination before the full Senate would vote. If Hegseth makes it out of the committee, it would take just four Republican senators voting against him to sink his chances.
Several senators on and off the Armed Services Committee were not ready to fully commit to supporting him when asked Wednesday.