Pete Hegseth holds another high-stakes meeting with key Republican senator

President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for defense secretary Pete Hegseth met Wednesday with another moderate Republican whose vote he will be watching closely in his confirmation battle.

Hegseth sat down with Maine Sen. Susan Collins as she continues to make the rounds for protection amid accusations of sexual impropriety and other misconduct.

Afterwards, he declared that it was an “excellent meeting”.

“Being able to spend time with these senators who have invested in our careers, from office to office, to make sure our warfighters get what they need, has been an amazing educational process,” Hegseth said. “And Senator Collins, like his colleagues before him, reiterated that.

“It was a wonderful conversation about what needs to be done to make sure this Pentagon is focused on war and lethality, and we look forward to continuing to engage with him,” he added.

Hegseth added that “nothing will be assumed about the senator’s whereabouts,” as he was inundated with questions from reporters.

Collins called it a “good and important discussion” for more than an hour, from the role of women in the military and sexual assault in the military to Ukraine and NATO.

“I asked almost every question under the sun,” Collins said. “I pressed him both on his position on military matters and on the accusations against him.”

Collins did not express support for Hegseth, saying he would await further examination of Hegseth before deciding how to vote.

“I, of course, always wait until the FBI background check is done, and one is underway on Mr. Hegseth, and I wait to see the committee hearing before I make a final decision,” he said.

Their meeting followed Tuesday’s meeting with Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who is seen as another possible GOP vote. Murkowski said they had a “good exchange” but did not say whether he flipped to help her.

Hegseth is one of several Trump administration picks who have been on Capitol Hill this week.

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, the nominee to lead the Department of Homeland Security, met with several Republican senators on Tuesday.

While leaving for a meeting with Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, Noem was asked if he supported Trump’s plan for mass deportations of migrants living in the US without legal authorization. Deportations were a central promise of Trump’s 2024 campaign.

“I will carry out the president’s agenda,” replied Noem.

Noem also left the door open with Democrats to protect “Dreamers,” or immigrants brought to the U.S. illegally as children. Trump floated the idea in an interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” even as he tried to undermine the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program during his first administration.

“You know, I appreciate the president’s word on this issue, and I know he wants our laws upheld, so I’m going to work with him to achieve his vision,” Noem said.

Noem returned to meetings Wednesday, along with Democratic Sen. Gary Peters. Noem said he hoped for bipartisan support in his confirmation bid.

Kash Patel, Trump’s pick for FBI director, and Tulsi Gabbard, his pick for director of national intelligence, have been seen walking the halls of the Hart Senate Office Building.

For Patel to fill the role, FBI Director Christopher Wray would have to resign or be fired.

Several Republican senators indicated this week that they would be fine with Wray being forced out or sidelined.

“I like Director Wray, but I think it’s time for a fresh start at the FBI,” said Senator Lindsey Graham.

“Obviously, Director Wray would be fired. That’s obvious,” said Sen. Markwayne Mullin.