President-elect Donald Trump publicly endorsed his nominee for the Pentagon’s top position, Pete Hegseth, on Friday, at a time when his Senate confirmation is in question amid concerns related to allegations of sexual assault, alcohol use, and his views on women serving in combat roles.
“Pete Hegseth is doing really well,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social account. “He will be a fantastic, high-energy Secretary of Defense.” The President-elect added, “Pete is a WINNER and nothing can change that.”
Hegseth spent much of this week meeting with lawmakers on Capitol Hill, working to secure support from Republican senators by demonstrating that he has the qualifications necessary to lead the Pentagon during Trump’s administration.
He has promised not to consume alcohol if confirmed and told lawmakers that he has never committed sexual assault. His professional views on military women have come under scrutiny, particularly after he said last month that women should not serve on the front lines.
President-elect Trump has faced resistance for several of his nominees. Two of his selected candidates for posts in his upcoming administration withdrew after facing strong opposition: Matt Gaetz, the former congressman nominated as Attorney General, and Chad Chronister, the Hillsborough County sheriff in Florida, nominated as the head of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Trump’s transition team is considering other potential candidates in case Hegseth’s nomination fails, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who ran against Trump in the previous Republican primaries.
