Some GOP senators appear tepid on Hegseth nomination as allegations pile up

Washington — A lot of Republican senators have expressed concern about Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s selection to guide the Protection Division, probably placing his meant nomination in danger. 

Hegseth, who has been assembly with Senate Republicans on Capitol Hill this week to attempt to construct help forward of his affirmation hearings, has confronted a spherical of destructive tales involving allegations of sexual misconduct, monetary mismanagement at veterans’ charities, repeated intoxication and infidelity. 

“A few of these articles are very disturbing. He clearly has an opportunity to defend himself right here, however some of these items is, it may be troublesome,” Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina informed reporters Tuesday. “Time will inform.” 

Republican Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana, who famous he has additionally learn the reporting and is conscious of the allegations, mentioned Hegseth must tackle them. 

“I need to know if they’re true and I need to hear his facet of the story and he’s going to have to deal with them,” he mentioned Tuesday, including that he wasn’t certain if Hegseth’s nomination would face headwinds.

On Monday, the New Yorker reported that earlier than he grew to become a full-time Fox Information host, Hegseth was compelled to step down from two nonprofit advocacy teams — Veterans for Freedom and Involved Veterans for America — amid complaints about his alleged habits that included repeatedly being intoxicated whereas on the job, main a hostile work setting and mismanaging the charities’ funds. CBS Information reported that Jessie Jane Duff, a Marine veteran who served as considered one of Trump’s 2024 marketing campaign govt administrators, was amongst those that pushed to have him ousted from Involved Veterans for America in 2016.

A lawyer for Hegseth has denied the allegations. 

Sen. Cynthia Lummis, a Wyoming Republican, mentioned Tuesday that the allegations “are a shock to all of us” and that his skill to be confirmed by the Senate “relies on how he addresses the problems which were raised.” Lummis mentioned the allegations additionally got here as a shock to Trump. 

“A number of the earlier points that had been raised about an incident in California, I believe had been satisfactorily addressed and wouldn’t have interfered together with his nomination, however some new issues which have come to mild within the final 12 to 14 hours are issues he wants to deal with,” she mentioned. 

Hegseth, an Military veteran turned Fox Information star, was investigated for sexual assault in 2017 in Monterey, California. Authorities declined to file fees within the case, saying none had been “supported by proof past an affordable doubt.” Hegseth informed investigators that the sexual encounter with the girl was consensual and he has denied any wrongdoing. He paid a confidential settlement to the girl out of concern that her accusation may end in his firing from Fox Information, his lawyer mentioned after the claims grew to become public in mid-November. 

However Sen. Tommy Tuberville pushed again on the notion that Trump could have concern about his decide. 

“I talked to him final night time,” the Alabama Republican mentioned Tuesday. “I do not assume there’s any concern. Why would there be?” 

Requested Monday whether or not he thought the Senate would verify him to guide the Pentagon, Hegseth mentioned he was “taking it assembly by assembly.”

Trump has already had one Cupboard decide withdraw from the method. Former Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida pulled his title from consideration amid scrutiny over allegations of intercourse trafficking and illicit drug use, which he denies. 

contributed to this report.