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Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense, chosen by Donald Trump as Secretary of Defense Congratulations to him. “Great meeting” with Sen. Joni Ernst after Iowa Republicans slow walk Certification of Cabinet nominees
“It was a great meeting. People really don’t know this. I’ve known Sen. Ernst for over 10 years. I knew her when she was the first female veteran running for state senator,” Hegseth told Fox News Sean Hannity in an exclusive interview Monday evening. “And we support her in that effort and continue to do so.”
“You attend these meetings and listen to the senators. It was an amazing advice and consent process. And you hear how thoughtful, serious and substantive they are on these important issues related to our Department of Defense,” he continued, “and Joni Ernst is front and center on that. So to To be able to make phone calls and meet again and again to talk about issues. That’s really important. Her willingness to support me through this process meant a lot.”
After the second meeting with Hegseth She also hinted that she would or would not support confirmation.
Pete Hegseth, President Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense Thumbs up as he walks with his wife, Jennifer Rauchet (left), to meet with Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. At the Capitol in Washington On Monday, December 1, Sept. 9, 2024 (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Hegseth spent the day on Capitol Hill meeting with Republican senators to rally support as he battles sexual misconduct allegations. drinking too much alcohol and mismanagement of a veterans’ non-profit organization. Hegseth denies the charges. and promised that he would not drink. “Not even a drop of alcohol” if confirmed by Trump’s cabinet
PETE HEGSETH SAYS HE WILL “Standing here in this fight” after meeting with senators
Among Hegseth’s meetings on Monday He met Ernst again. who serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee After meeting her last week
last week Ernst suppressed his intention to vote in support of Hegseth. But hinted Monday that she has begun to support Trump’s nominees.
Ernst wrote In a statement on Monday, “As I support Pete through this process, I hope for a fair trial based on the truth. It is not an anonymous source of information.”
She added in a statement: “After our encouraging conversation Pete is committed to conducting a full investigation of the Department of Defense. and select senior officers who will uphold the role and values of our servicemen and women. Based on quality and standards, not quotas, and which will prioritize and strengthen my work to prevent sexual harassment within the group.”
Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth joins Fox News’ Sean Hannity (Fox News)
Trump nominates Hegseth Former National Guard Officer Minister of Defense last monthHe said, “With Pete at the helm, America’s enemies are also watching. Our army will be great again. And America will never back down.” Hegseth was host of “Fox & Friends Weekend” before Trump was nominated.
Fox News Digital reported on Sunday. After Ernst was reluctant to support Hegseth at first, Trump’s allies are expected to be more critical of her. Meanwhile, she stopped short of offering support for Trump’s defense secretary.
Conservative group compiles list of ‘WOKE’ senior officials they want PETE HEGSETH fired
“It’s simple: If you oppose President Trump’s nominees, You will oppose Trump’s agenda. And there will be a political cost to pay for that. We are aware that some established senators are trying to pressure the President’s nominees to hold him in contempt. It weakens and damages him politically. And we will not allow that to happen,” a top Trump ally told Fox News Digital.
Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) talks with reporters after the weekly Senate Republican policy luncheon at the U.S. Capitol on February 14, 2023 in Washington, D.C. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Hegseth went on to say in the interview with Hannity that he would also meet with Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins, who Hannity characterized as more liberal Republican senators compared to their colleagues.
“We will meet with Sen. Collins on Wednesday and Sen. Murkowski on Tuesday, and let me tell you, Sean the Founder got it right. This is not a trivial process. This is real: advice and consent from Nominee selected by the President And I’m very grateful that President Trump will have the faith in me to lead the Department of Defense that chose me to do so. But this advice and consent process was met with every senator. The Armed Services Committee and guys, everyone has good questions. And my answer is for them,” Hegseth said.
The SecDef nominee also responded to claims of impropriety during the interview, claiming: “The left is trying to turn this into a media trial – show trial – and we will not allow it. That happened.”
“I will walk into the door of every one of these senators willing to answer their questions. Because they deserve answers… I’ve heard great things. about these senators and Questions they want to ask And we look forward to getting these votes. That’s what it is. That will ultimately get a vote through the committee and the entire U.S. Senate,” he said.
Pete Hegseth, President Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of defense, and his wife, Jennifer Rauchet, walk through the basement of City Hall on Wednesday. December 1 on September 4, 2024 in Washington (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Dozens of prominent veterans sign letter supporting ‘outstanding’ Hegset’s nomination amid controversy
Reports emerged last week accusing Trump of losing faith in his nominees. As Democrats attacked the election and some Republicans, such as Sen. Lindsey Graham, said the allegations against Hegseth were “troubling.” Trump denied the claims as he supported Hegseth. Th doubled down in a post on Truth Social on Friday. Vice President-elect J.D. Vance also said the Trump team “Not abandoning this nomination.”
Republican presidential nominee Former US President Donald Trump takes the stage during a campaign rally at Desert Diamond Arena on August 23, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. The rally was organized in conjunction with Turning Point PAC and Turning Point Action. It comes two weeks after Harris. Vice President of the United States Nominated by the Democrats Hold a gathering in the same location. (Rebecca Noble/Getty Images)
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“Pete Hegseth is doing great, his support is strong and deep,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Friday. “He will be a powerful and wonderful Minister of Defense. A leader with charisma and ability, Pete is a champion and there is nothing that can be done to change that!!!”
Fox News Digital’s Cameron Cawthorne and Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report.
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