HEGSETH, SUPPORTERS, DENY ALLEGATIONS
Pete Hegseth denies abusing Samantha Hegseth, and Republican senators who backed him said they had met with him, reviewed his FBI file and other material, and were satisfied that he was the right man to lead the Pentagon.
“After this thorough review, I am ironclad in my assessment that the nominee, Mr Hegseth, is prepared to be the next Secretary of Defence, and that the allegations unfairly impugning his character do not pass scrutiny,” Republican Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker said.
Hegseth has declined to meet with most Democratic senators, including those on the armed services committee, which held his confirmation hearing.
In recent weeks, Trump has urged his fellow Republicans to back the 44-year-old decorated veteran, and most have fallen into line to defend a nominee they said would restore a “warrior” mentality to the US military.
In Truth Social posts, Trump has said Hegseth “will make a GREAT Secretary of Defence” and saying he has Trump’s “Complete and Total support”.
Democrats have come out strongly against him. Before Thursday’s vote, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said, “Of all the people we could have as Secretary of Defence, is Pete Hegseth really the best one we’ve got? Come on, you know he isn’t. You know he’s not even close!”