WASHINGTON (AP) — Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump’s Pentagon decide, was combating to carry on to his Cupboard nomination amid rising questions Wednesday about his private conduct because the president-elect’s crew considers options, together with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. “We’re not going anywhere,” Hegseth mentioned, claiming Trump’s full assist.
However the Trump transition crew was more and more involved about Hegseth’s path to Senate affirmation and actively taking a look at potential replacements, an individual accustomed to the matter mentioned. Hegseth is below strain as senators weigh a collection of allegations which have surfaced towards him.
DeSantis, who competed towards Trump for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024, is being mentioned as a potential alternative if Hegseth’s nomination doesn’t transfer ahead, based on three different folks accustomed to the matter. They weren’t licensed to publicly focus on inner deliberations and spoke on situation of anonymity.
Hegseth is the most recent nominee-designate to be imperiled by private baggage after the current withdrawal of Trump’s decide to be legal professional basic, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, whose vulnerabilities had been well-documented. However Hegseth’s previous, together with the revelation that he made a settlement cost after being accused of a sexual assault that he denies, was not extensively recognized.
Trump’s transition crew didn’t do fulsome screening of potential picks earlier than he introduced them, and solely on Tuesday was an settlement signed with the Division of Justice to permit for formal background checks of these into consideration.
Past DeSantis, there have been discussions about shifting Michael Waltz, who was named by Trump as his nationwide safety adviser, to the Protection Division, based on an individual accustomed to the matter who spoke on situation of anonymity about non-public conversations. The Florida congressman is a retired Military Nationwide Guard officer and battle veteran.
Trump aides don’t wish to be caught flat-footed in case Trump’s preliminary picks fall by. Trump, for now, was standing by Hegseth.
After assembly with Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., the incoming majority chief, Hegseth advised reporters that that he had acquired a contemporary message of assist from Trump.
“I spoke to the president this morning. He supports me fully. We’re not going anywhere,” Hegseth mentioned. He ignored questions in regards to the allegations he has confronted.
Hegseth, accompanied by his spouse, made the rounds for a 3rd day on Capitol Hill, speaking in non-public with GOP senators earlier than heading to the Home. Whereas Home members haven’t any direct position within the affirmation course of, conservatives can maintain outsize affect on the talk.
The Trump transition crew didn’t instantly remark. The Wall Road Journal, on Tuesday night time, first reported that Trump was contemplating DeSantis.
In an interview taped Wednesday for Megyn Kelly’s SiriusXM satellite tv for pc radio present, Hegseth mentioned Trump advised him he needed a “warfighter” who would clear out the “woke crap.”
Citing his Capitol Hills assembly, Hegseth mentioned, “No one has looked me in the eye and said, ‘I have concerns.’” He added: “We’re not backing down one bit.”
Hegseth paid a lady who accused him of sexual assault at a California lodge in 2017 after Hegseth had given a speech at a Republican occasion. His lawyer mentioned the cost was to go off the specter of a baseless lawsuit.
Requested by Kelly if he sexually assaulted the lady, Hegseth mentioned “absolutely not.” He known as it a “really unfortunate situation” and mentioned he paid her as a result of he “had to,” contending that her legal professionals mentioned they might “out him.”
He declined to disclose the quantity paid, however mentioned it was executed to guard his spouse, himself and his job. Hegseth additionally denied media reviews about his alcohol intoxication at work occasions.
“I never had a drinking problem,” Hegseth mentioned.
He added: “No one’s ever approached me and said, ‘Oh, you should really look at getting help.’”
That letter adopted a number of allegations, reported by the New Yorker this week, of questionable conduct round feminine staffers. Hegseth additionally was accused of sexual assault in 2017, which Hegseth advised California police on the time was a consensual encounter and has denied any wrongdoing.
Penelope Hegseth implored the lawmakers to hearken to her son and provides him an opportunity.
“I think it can be overcome,” Penelope Hegseth mentioned.
DeSantis is a former Trump ally-turned-rival who turned the topic of intense ridicule and hostility from Trump and his marketing campaign when then Florida governor challenged him within the presidential major.
When DeSantis dropped out and endorsed Trump, the 2 appeared to have struck a calculated truce, however deep mistrust between their closest aides remained.
DeSantis, a 46-year-old former congressman and former Navy officer, would more likely to face a smoother time than Hegseth within the Senate, the place Republicans are regaining the bulk in January.
The governor was a Navy choose advocate basic officer, a place that took him to Iraq and the Guantanamo Bay detention camp. As a presidential candidate, he known as for ridding the navy of “woke” insurance policies.