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In his first community TV interview since being elected, Donald Trump defined why he’s nonetheless standing behind his Protection Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth, claiming he’s heard how Senators are coming round to Hegseth after having conversations with him.
“Pete is doing properly now, I imply, folks had been somewhat bit involved. He is a younger man with an amazing monitor document. Truly went to Princeton and went to Harvard. He was an excellent scholar at each, however he loves the navy, and I believe individuals are beginning to see it. So we’ll be engaged on his nomination, together with a whole lot of others.,” Trump mentioned in a preview of his interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”
When requested if he nonetheless has confidence in Hegseth, Trump mentioned, “Sure, I do. I actually do. He is a really good man.”
Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be protection secretary, listens to reporters throughout a gathering with Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., on the Capitol in Washington, Dec. 5, 2024.
J. Scott Applewhite/AP
“I’ve recognized him by way of Fox, however I’ve recognized him for a very long time, and he is principally a navy man. Each time I speak to him, all he needs to speak about is the navy. He is a navy man.”
When requested if he is gotten assurances from senators that he will be confirmed, Trump answered “no,” however nonetheless went on to strike an optimistic tone that he’ll be confirmed.
“I believe he’ll. Yeah, I’ve had a whole lot of senators name me up saying he is unbelievable.”
Trump additionally pushed again on allegations that Hegseth has a ingesting drawback when requested how he feels concerning the accusation given Trump’s household historical past with alcoholism.
“I’ve spoken to those that know him very properly, they usually say he doesn’t have a ingesting drawback,” Trump mentioned.
There are 9 Republican ladies serving within the Senate. Just one, up to now, has thrown their weight behind Hegseth when pressed by ABC Information on the place they stand.
Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., was publicly supportive of Hegseth on Fox Information. She known as him a “good match to come back in and reorganize” the Division of Protection.
The remaining have reservations or are holding off on providing a proper stance till they study extra concerning the nominee. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., mentioned she was “undecided.” Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., solely mentioned she had a “good dialog” with him this week and Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, mentioned she was “clearly” involved about a number of the allegations towards him.
Hegseth goes to be having extra conferences with consequential senators, together with Collins and Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, a key GOP Swing vote.
Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, mentioned in a publish on X Friday that she’s going to meet with the protection secretary nominee for a second time subsequent week.
“At a minimal, we agree that he deserves the chance to put out his imaginative and prescient for our warfighters at a good listening to,” she mentioned.
Hegseth posted that he and Ernst had “one other substantive dialog” Friday.
The posts and the cellphone name come after Vance instructed reporters he spoke to Ernst about Hegseth’s nomination.
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