In his first network television interview since his election, Donald Trump explained why still standing Behind his Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth, he said he has heard how senators are coming to Hegseth after having conversations with him.
“Pete’s fine now, I mean, people were a little worried. He’s a young guy with a tremendous history. He actually went to Princeton and he went to Harvard. He was a good student at both, but he loves the military. And I think people are starting to see that. . So we’re going to be working on his nomination, along with many others,” Trump said in a preview of his interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”
Asked if he still trusts Hegseth, Trump said: “Yeah, I do. I really do. He’s a very smart guy.”
Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of defense, listens to reporters with Sen. Mike Rounds, R-D., on Capitol Hill in Washington, December 5, 2024.
J. Scott Applewhite/AP
“I know him through Fox, but I’ve known him for a long time, and he’s basically in the military. Whenever I talk to him, all he wants to talk about is the military. He’s in the military.”
When asked if he had obtained any assurances that the senators would confirm him, Trump answered “no”, but still gave the tone that he would be in the affirmative.
“I think he will. Yes, I’ve had a lot of senators call me saying it’s wonderful.”
Trump also pushed back against Hegseth’s allegations he has a drinking problem When asked how he felt about the allegation of Trump’s family history with alcoholism.
“I’ve talked to people who know him very well, and they say he doesn’t have a drinking problem,” Trump said.
Nine Republican women are serving in the Senate. Only one, so far, has thrown his weight behind Hegseth to find out where ABC News stands.
Sen. Marsha Blackburn, Tenn., publicly endorsed Hegseth on Fox News. He called the Department of Defense suitable for “going in and reorganizing.”
The rest have reservations or hold off on offering a formal position until they know more about the candidate. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, RW.Va., said she was “undecided.” Sen. Deb Fischer, N-Neb., said she had a “good conversation” with him this week and Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said she was “obviously” concerned about some of the allegations against him.
Hegseth will hold more meetings with senators, including Collins and Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, a key GOP swing vote.
Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, said in a message on Friday that she will meet with the defense secretary for a second time next week.
“At the very least, we agree that he deserves an opportunity to explain his vision in a fair hearing for our warriors,” he said.
Hegseth posted that he and Ernst had “another important conversation” on Friday.
The messages and phone call came after Vance told reporters he had spoken with Ernst about Hegseth’s appointment.
