After nearly two months of a contentious and highly publicized battle, Pete Hegseth has received a significant boost in his bid to become the next U.S. Secretary of Defense. The U.S. Senate is now expected to hold a vote on his confirmation as early as next week, signaling a potential turnaround for the embattled nominee.
Hegseth, a veteran and former Fox News anchor, has been at the center of controversy following a series of anonymous allegations. These claims accused him of being frequently intoxicated at work, engaging in sexual harassment of female coworkers, and mismanaging two veterans’ charities.
These allegations, though unproven, placed him under intense scrutiny, making his confirmation process a focal point of political debate. Hegseth is the second Trump nominee to face significant challenges, following Matt Gaetz’s withdrawal from consideration for U.S. Attorney General. Unlike Gaetz, Hegseth chose to fight back, vehemently denying the allegations on prominent conservative media platforms. He presented affirmations of his character from former service members and even his own mother, which seemed to resonate with key senators.
The turning point in his confirmation battle came in January, when previously skeptical senators such as Joni Ernst (R-IA) and John Fetterman (D-PA) began to voice support for Hegseth. This shift in opinion appears to have secured a majority of votes necessary for his confirmation, a significant development after weeks of uncertainty.
On Sunday, CBS News reported that Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) informed President-elect Donald Trump of Hegseth’s likely confirmation. Thune reportedly expressed confidence that Hegseth has the 51 votes needed to clear the Senate. This development marks a remarkable turnaround for a nominee who faced an uphill battle just weeks earlier. However, a spokesperson for Thune refrained from confirming the report, stating, “Two things we don’t discuss publicly: Whip counts and private conversations with the president.”
While Thune’s private remarks to Trump suggest a strong backing for Hegseth, his public statements have been more reserved. During an appearance on CBS’s “Face the Nation,” Thune cautiously acknowledged the ongoing confirmation efforts. “I think these nominees are new enough,” he said. “They’ve been going around and conducting their meetings, which I think, frankly, have gone very well. But they still have to make their case in front of the committee. And, you know, we don’t know all the information about some of these nominees.”
The Senate Armed Services Committee, chaired by Roger Wicker, is scheduled to hold Hegseth’s confirmation hearing on January 14th. This leaves the nominee just over a week to address lingering concerns and solidify his support. Senate Republicans are pushing to have most, if not all, of Trump’s national security team confirmed and ready to take office by the president-elect’s inauguration on January 20th.
Hegseth is part of a broader slate of Trump’s national security nominees awaiting Senate approval. These include Tulsi Gabbard for Director of National Intelligence, John Ratcliffe for CIA Director, and Kash Patel for FBI Director. Other nominees include Doug Burgum for Interior Secretary, Kristi Noem for Secretary of Homeland Security, and Lee Zeldin for EPA Administrator. Senate Republicans are aiming to expedite the confirmation process for these nominees to ensure a seamless transition of power.
Meanwhile, Senate Democrats are reportedly negotiating hearing dates, with a spokesperson stating that Republican leaders will need unanimous agreement from Democratic senators to expedite the process. This underscores the partisan tension surrounding the confirmation process, particularly for high-profile and controversial nominees like Hegseth.
Hegseth’s confirmation journey has been a dramatic one, characterized by fierce partisan debate, public scrutiny, and a relentless media spotlight. While his apparent majority support in the Senate marks a significant victory, the coming weeks will test his ability to navigate the final hurdles and officially assume the role of Secretary of Defense. As his confirmation hearing approaches, all eyes will be on the Senate chamber to determine whether this embattled nominee will ultimately succeed in his quest.