Senate Majority Leader John Thune has privately informed President-elect Donald Trump that he believes Pete Hegseth may have the votes to be confirmed as Secretary of Defense, in line with three sources.
When requested for remark, a spokesman for Thune would solely inform CBS News, “Two issues we do not talk about publicly: Whip counts and personal conversations with the president.”
The new Senate Majority Leader in an interview with “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan” promised a good course of however expressed extra warning.
“I feel these are nominees who’re new sufficient, they have been going round and conducting their conferences, which I feel, frankly, have gone very nicely, however they nonetheless must make their case in entrance of the committee. And, you realize, we do not know all of the details about a few of these nominees.”
Hegseth’s affirmation listening to is scheduled for Jan. 14, in line with Senate Armed Services Chairman Roger Wicker.
Trump named Hegseth his choose for Defense Secretary on Nov. 12, per week after the election. Days later, Hegseth got here below fireplace amid accusations of previous sexual misconduct. An unidentified girl accused Hegseth of sexual assault in a Moneterey, California, resort room in 2017.
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Hegseth claimed the sexual encounter was consensual and prosecutors declined to file fees. Hegseth and the accuser reached a confidential monetary settlement in 2023.
Hegseth has additionally faced questions about his administration of a veterans’ group he as soon as led and NBC reported that Hegseth’s colleagues at Fox News have been involved about his alcohol consumption.
Hegseth has stated he wouldn’t drink alcohol if he turns into Defense Secretary.
Other key affirmation hearings are additionally tentatively scheduled for the week of Jan. 13 within the run as much as the Jan. 20 inauguration, in line with sources.
In many committees, Democrats are nonetheless in energetic negotiations with Republicans about these dates. Until the hearings are publicly observed by the committees, the dates might slide.
Senate Foreign Relations will maintain Marco Rubio and Elise Stefanik’s affirmation hearings the week of Jan. 13h, with committee chairman James Risch indicating that he would really like Rubio to be confirmed on Jan 20, the primary day that Trump is in workplace which might require cooperation from each senator. Rubio is predicted to garner broad bipartisan help.
The Senate Judiciary Committee is aiming to carry Pam Bondi’s affirmation listening to for lawyer common on Jan. 14. In December, previous to the New Orleans truck assault, Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley indicated that Kash Patel’s affirmation listening to to be FBI director would occur in late January after the committee holds hearings for the lawyer common, deputy lawyer common, and affiliate lawyer common. However he famous, “it would not must be in that order. That’s sort of the custom.”
Tulsi Gabbard, who President-elect Trump chosen for Director of National Intelligence, and John Ratcliffe, the choose to guide the CIA, might have affirmation hearings in entrance of Senate Intelligence the week of Jan. 13. A spokeswoman for Senate Intelligence Democrats indicated that negotiations are ongoing and that Republicans would want unanimous consent from Democrats.
Doug Burgum, the choose to guide the Interior Department, will doubtless have his affirmation listening to on Jan. 14.
Trump’s picks for Homeland Security Secretary, Kristi Noem, and EPA administrator, Lee Zeldin are tentatively scheduled to have hearings on Jan. 15.
Senate Republicans need a lot of the nationwide security-related affirmation hearings completed by the point Trump takes workplace on Jan. 20 in order that these nominations may be voted on by the total Senate as shortly as potential. But it isn’t clear to what extent Democrats could decelerate the method in committees and on the ground for the extra controversial nominees.
