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Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s choose for protection secretary, stated on Wednesday he wouldn’t “again down” as new misconduct allegations trigger rising concern amongst Republican senators tasked with whether or not to verify him.
Going public in his personal protection, Hegseth additionally straight addressed a number of of the accusations for the primary time in an interview with Megyn Kelly. He denied most of the claims he mistreated ladies and pushed again on reviews he was pressured out from two veterans’ nonprofit teams.
Hegseth stated he spoke with Trump earlier within the day, and stated the president-elect instructed him: “Maintain going, preserve preventing. I am behind you all the best way.”
The feedback come as various senators (a minimum of six) have privately signaled they aren’t inclined to vote for him, main Trump’s advisers to start discussing who could also be a viable alternative, sources accustomed to the matter instructed ABC Information.
A number of sources additionally instructed ABC Information that Trump and Florida GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis spoke concerning the job Tuesday and DeSantis expressed curiosity in it. Different doable candidates embrace Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst and Tennessee Gov. Invoice Hagerty, stated sources accustomed to non-public discussions.
Hegseth met with Ernst on Wednesday afternoon.
As he walked together with his spouse by the Capitol for a 3rd day of sit downs with GOP lawmakers, Hegseth was peppered with questions from reporters asking if he is dedicated to remaining within the operating. He replied, “Why would I again down? I’ve at all times been a fighter. I am right here for the battle fighters. That is private and passionate for me.”
Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be protection secretary, is joined by his spouse Jennifer Rauchet, as they stroll by the basement of the Capitol, Dec. 4, 2024.
Mark Schiefelbein/AP
Shortly after he was tapped by Trump to guide the Pentagon, it was reported that Hegseth had paid a settlement settlement to a girl who accused him of sexual assault in 2017.
Over the weekend, the New Yorker, citing what it referred to as an in depth seven-page whistleblower report, stated Hegseth was pressured to step down from two veterans’ nonprofit teams amid accusations of economic mismanagement, sexist conduct and different disqualifying conduct. ABC Information has not independently confirmed the journal’s account.
Hegseth denied many of the allegations towards him as Kelly went by them.
He flatly denied the 2017 sexual assault allegation, saying he paid a settlement to guard his spouse and profession.
He pushed again on reviews he was pressured out of the veterans’ teams, although he did not dispute mismanaging funds at Veterans for Freedom, blaming it on being an “beginner.”
“Am I an ideal man? No, was I an ideal man? Completely not,” Hegseth stated. “Do I remorse these issues? Sure. However is it who I’m at this time? No, and I am simply grateful for the grace of God that offers me a brand new chapter.”
The New Yorker account included claims of public drunkenness. Hegseth pledged if he labored within the Trump administration, there would not be “a drop of alcohol on my lips.”
His mom, Penelope Hegseth, additionally provided a protection of her son on “Fox & Associates” on Wednesday morning.
She despatched an e mail to her son in 2018 amid his divorce through which she wrote that he was an “abuser of ladies.” The e-mail was reported by the New York Instances. ABC Information has not independently obtained the e-mail.
President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be Secretary of Protection Pete Hegseth, accompanied by Sen. Invoice Hagerty arrives for a gathering with Senate Minority Whip John Thune on the Capitol, Dec. 4, 2024.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Photographs
Penelope Hegseth on Wednesday stated her son was a “modified” man and that the e-mail was written in “haste” throughout a “very emotional time.” She stated that she “retracted it with an apology e mail” simply hours after she despatched it, and that she and her son are “very shut at this time.”
Penelope Hegseth, imploring senators to hearken to his account, additionally stated she believed her son was “the person for the job.”
Hegseth instructed Kelly he was nonetheless assured he’ll be confirmed however stated if he is not, he’ll know “I did every little thing I may on this course of.”
“So, we do not know exactly how that is all going to play out. I’ll go up on Capitol Hill, meet with all these senators, preserve working laborious, attempt to earn votes, respect the method,” he stated.
ABC Information’ Rick Klein and Rachel Scott contributed to this report.
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