Pete Hegseth says he had ‘substantive dialog’ with Joni Ernst as Trump indicators help

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President-elect Trump expressed public help for embattled protection secretary nominee Pete Hegseth Friday, and the nominee stated he had a “substantive dialog” with Sen. Joni Ernst. 

Hegseth, a former Nationwide Guard officer, has been assembly with Republican senators this week to rally help as allegations of sexual misconduct and extreme ingesting have surfaced. He has denied any wrongdoing. 

Ernst has not dedicated to voting for Hegseth. 

“Seems to be like Pete is doing properly now,” Trump instructed Kristen Welker on “Meet the Press” Friday. “I imply, individuals had been a bit of bit involved. He is a younger man with an incredible monitor file, really. Went to Princeton, went to Harvard. He was an excellent pupil at each, however he loves the army. And I believe individuals are beginning to see it. So, we’ll be engaged on his nomination together with numerous others.”

PETE HEGSETH SAYS HE WILL BE ‘STANDING RIGHT HERE IN THIS FIGHT’ AFTER MEETING WITH SENATORS

A split of Trump and Hegseth

President-elect Trump gave his public help to embattled protection secretary decide Pete Hegseth Friday, and the nominee stated he had a “substantive dialog” with Sen. Joni Ernst.  (Allison Robbert-Pool/Getty Photographs; AP Photograph/J. Scott Applewhite)

Trump confirmed he nonetheless has confidence in Hegseth.

“He is a really sensible man,” Trump stated. “I’ve recognized him by means of Fox, however I’ve recognized him for a very long time. I imply, he is mainly a army man. I imply, each time I discuss to him, all he needs to speak about is the army.”

Trump stated that whereas he did not have assurances from senators that his nomination could be confirmed, he believes he’ll get it by means of. 

“I’ve had numerous senators calling me up saying he is implausible,” Trump stated. 

Requested by Welker in regards to the allegations of extreme ingesting, Trump stated, “Properly, I’ve spoken to those that know him very properly, they usually say he doesn’t have a ingesting downside.” 

INCOMING WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY ADDRESSES TRUMP’S SUPPORT OF HEGSETH

Trump additionally supported Hegseth on Fact Social on Friday, writing, “Pete Hegseth is doing very properly. His help is robust and deep. He was an amazing pupil – Princeton/Harvard educated – with a Navy way of thinking. He can be a implausible, excessive vitality, Secretary of Protection, one who leads with charisma and talent. Pete is a WINNER, and there may be nothing that may be completed to vary that.”

Joni Ernst

Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, speaks to reporters after a closed-door lunch assembly with Senate Republicans on the U.S. Capitol Oct. 17, 2023, in Washington, D.C.  ( Drew Angerer/Getty Photographs)

Hegseth wrote on his X account Friday: “I simply had one other substantive dialog with Senator Ernst, I admire her honest dedication to protection coverage, and I sit up for assembly along with her once more subsequent week.”

Ernst additionally known as their assembly “constructive” on her account, including that the 2 plan to meet once more subsequent week. 

“Pete Hegseth and I’ll proceed our constructive conversations as we transfer ahead collectively on this course of. We plan to satisfy once more 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 stated. 

Vice President-elect JD Vance additionally instructed reporters Friday that Hegseth has the incoming administration’s full help and gained’t face a “sham listening to earlier than the American media.”

Pete Hegseth with reporters on Capitol Hill

Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be protection secretary, walks by means of the basement of the Capitol Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photograph/Mark Schiefelbein)

TRUMP FLOATS DESANTIS AS POTENTIAL DEFENSE SECRETARY REPLACEMENT IF HEGSETH FALTERS

“Pete Hegseth goes to get his listening to earlier than the Senate Armed Forces Committee, not a sham listening to earlier than the American media,” Vance instructed reporters whereas in North Carolina. “We consider Pete Hegseth is the appropriate man to guide the Division of Protection. That’s why Trump nominated him. We’re not abandoning this nomination.

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“I totally help Pete. I believe Pete’s going to get confirmed, and we’re utterly behind him. I’ve talked to Joni [Ernst]. I’ve talked to a variety of my colleagues about this nomination and about different nominations. All I’m asking is individuals really permit the Senate nomination course of to work. We don’t decide essential authorities officers based mostly on nameless sourcing from the American media.”

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