President-elect Donald Trump says his pick for Defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, is “doing very well,” delivering public support for the embattled nominee despite senators’ concerns about alleged misconduct and reports that Mr. Trump is considering alternatives.
“His support is strong and deep, much more so than the Fake News would have you believe,” Mr. Trump said Friday on Truth Social.
Mr. Hegseth, a retired Army major, veterans’ advocate and former Fox News host, pledged Thursday he is “not going to back down” as he made the rounds on Capitol Hill for another day of interviews with senators Thursday amid accusations of past misconduct that could lead Republicans to sink his nomination.
He faces allegations of sexual assault, infidelity in his first two marriages, financial mismanagement of veterans organizations and excessive drinking around co-workers.
Several Republican senators have yet to commit their support for Mr. Hegseth’s nomination, including Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa, whose vote is considered crucial.
Mr. Trump said Mr. Hegseth was a “great student —Princeton/Harvard educated — with a Military state of mind.”
“He will be a fantastic, high energy, Secretary of Defense, one who leads with charisma and skill,” he said. “Pete is a WINNER, and there is nothing that can be done to change that!!!”
Mr. Hegseth thanked the president-elect for his faith in him.
“Thank you Mr. President. Like you, we will never back down,” Mr. Hegseth wrote on X.
Mr. Trump is bolstering his pick against the backdrop of media reports that claim the president-elect is considering Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a former GOP rival who served in the Navy, to be his alternative pick to lead the Department of Defense.
Some Trump allies want Mr. Trump to hold the line after another one of his nominees, former Rep. Matt Gaetz for U.S. attorney general, had to withdraw from consideration. They fear that rejection of another nominee would open the floodgates for senators to turn back even more picks.
• Susan Ferrechio contributed to this report.
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
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