By Brendan Scanland
WASHINGTON, D.C. — President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, wrapped up his first week of meetings on Capitol Hill Thursday.
The former Fox News host and veteran received some additional encouragement from the President-elect Friday as he looks to shore up more support among Senate Republicans. Of all the cabinet nominees, the stakes appear to be the highest for Hegseth.
“This will not be a process tried in media,” said Hegseth, who has come under recent fire about inappropriate behavior and sexual misconduct – allegations he denies.
Despite rumors of potentially being replaced by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Hegseth vowed to stay in the fight.
“Pete Hegseth is doing very well. His support is strong and deep, much more so than the Fake News would have you believe. He was a great student – Princeton/Harvard educated – with a Military state of mind. He will be a fantastic, high energy, Secretary of Defense Defense, one who leads with charisma and skill. Pete is a WINNER, and there is nothing that can be done to change that!!!,” said Trump Friday morning in a post on Truth Social.
“I’m proud to be here,” Hegseth told reporters on Thursday. “As long as Donald Trump wants me in this fight, I’m going to be standing right here in this fight, fighting to bring our Pentagon back to what it needs to be.”
Even though the House of Representatives doesn’t have a say in cabinet nominations, Rep. Nick Langworthy (R- NY) trusts the President-elect’s choices and says time is of the essence.
“I support President Trump’s ability to appoint the people he wants to lead the government agencies,” said Langworthy. “We have so much work ahead of us. I mean, we’ve won the trifecta. We’ve got the House, we’ve got the Senate, we’ve got the White House. We need desperately to get to work on day one. Having these positions filled and confirmed as soon as possible is critical,” Langworthy added.
All eyes are on the soon-to-be Republican controlled Senate, which will determine the fate of each cabinet nomination in the new year. Assuming all Democrats vote ‘No,’ Hegseth can only afford to lose three GOP votes. Some Republican senators have yet to go all in on Hegseth.
“It’s been very clear that members and my colleagues on the other side have had some reservations, and they haven’t even worked it out on their side,” said Sen. John Fetterman (D- PA) on Thursday.
As a Democrat, Fetterman says several of Trump’s cabinet picks would not have been his first, second or even third choice.
“That’s what happens when the other side wins,” said Fetterman.
Despite political differences in a new administration, Fetterman says he’s eager to deliver for his constituents in Pennsylvania.
“These are people that are going to be there and we’re going to work with them. And I want to maximize the benefits for the people of Pennsylvania,” said Fetterman. “I can work with virtually anybody if you can agree on what’s best for Pennsylvanians.”
