Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for defense secretary, said Wednesday he will not “back down” as new allegations of misconduct have raised concerns among Republican lawmakers.
“I’m doing this for the warriors, not the bigots. The left is afraid of disruptors and changemakers. @realDonaldTrump — and they’re afraid of me. So they smear it with fake, anonymous sources. & BS stories. They don’t want the truth. Our warriors have never retreated, and neither do I,” Hegseth wrote in X.
Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of defense, stands with his wife Jennifer Rauchet, left, as they arrive at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024.
J. Scott Applewhite/AP
His comments have led some senators to vote privately to confirm Hegseth as Trump’s next defense secretary, as Trump advisers begin discussing who might be a viable replacement, sources familiar with the matter told ABC News.
Sources told ABC News that at least six senators have indicated privately that they do not intend to vote for Hegseth amid mounting allegations of mistreatment of women.
Multiple sources also tell ABC News that Trump and Florida GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis spoke about that job on Tuesday and DeSantis expressed interest.
Hegseth will return to Capitol Hill on Wednesday for meetings with more senators.
