Trump still supports Hegseth
Jacqui Heinrich, senior White House correspondent for Fox News, explains President-elect Trump’s recent public support for Pete Hegseth’s nomination for secretary of defense on social truth and more in a “Special Report.”
President-elect Trump Publicly expressed support for Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth on Friday. And the nominee said he had. “Important Conversation” with Sen. Joni Ernst.
Hegseth, a former National Guard officer is meeting with Republican senators this week. to rally support Meanwhile, there have been allegations of sexual misconduct and excessive drinking. He has denied any wrongdoing.
Ernst has not committed to voting for Hegseth.
“It looks like Pete is doing well,” Trump told Kristen. Welker on Meet the Press on Friday. “I mean that People were a little worried. Actually, he was a young man with many achievements. He had studied at Princeton and Harvard. He was a good student at both. But he loves soldiers. And I think people We are starting to see it, so we will be nominating him along with many others.”
PETE HEGSETH SAYS HE WILL “Standing here in this fight” after meeting with senators
Governor Trump gave public support to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s picks on Friday. And the nominee said he had. “Important Conversation” with Sen. Joni Ernst. (Allison Robbert-Pool/Getty Images; AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Trump insists he still has confidence in Hegseth.
“He’s a very smart guy,” Trump said. “I met him through Fox. But I’ve known him for a long time. I mean, he’s basically a soldier. I mean every time I talk to him. The only thing he wanted to talk about was soldiers.”
Trump said that even he had received no assurances from senators that his nomination would be confirmed. But he believes he will pull through.
“I’ve had several senators call me saying he’s great,” Trump said.
When asked by Welker about the allegations of excessive drinking Trump said “I talked to people who knew him very well. And they said he didn’t have a drinking problem.”
Incoming White House press secretary discusses Trump’s support for HEGSETH
Trump also supported Hegseth on Truth Social on Friday, writing: “Pete Hegseth is doing great, his support is strong and deep. He was an excellent student – educated at Princeton/Harvard – with the mentality of a soldier. He will be a great person,” said the high-energy defense minister. A talented and charismatic leader, Pete is a champion and there is nothing that can be done to change that.”
Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa Talking with reporters after a closed lunch meeting with Senate Republicans at the U.S. Capitol, September 17, 2023, in Washington, D.C. (Draw Anger/Getty Images)
Hegseth wrote on his X account on Friday: “I just had another important conversation with Senator Ernst. I appreciate her sincere commitment to national defense policy. And I hope to see you again next week.”
Ernst also called their meeting “constructive” in her account. He added that the two plan to meet again next week.
“Pete Hegseth and I will continue to have constructive conversations as we move forward together in this process. We plan to meet again next week. at least We agree that he deserves the opportunity to lay out his vision for our fighters in a fair trial,” she said.
Vice President-elect J.D. Vance told reporters on Friday that Hegseth has the full support of the incoming administration. and will not face “A sham trial in front of the American media.”
Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense, walks through the basement of the Capitol on Wednesday, December 1, 2019, on September 4, 2024 in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
TRUMP FLOATS DESANTIS is potential secretary replacement if Hegseth FALTS
“Pete Hegseth will face a hearing before the Senate Armed Forces Committee. It is not a sham trial in front of the American media,” Vance told reporters while in North Carolina. “We believe Pete Hegseth is the right person to lead the Department of Defense. That is why Trump nominated him. We will not abandon this nomination.
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“I fully support Pete. I think Pete will be confirmed. And we are completely behind him. I’ve talked with Joni (Ernst), I’ve talked with a number of my colleagues about this nomination and all the other nominations that I have. I asked if people really allowed the Senate nomination process to work. We do not designate key government officials based on anonymous sourcing from American media.”
