President-elect Trump is not advocating for Pete Hegseth during this critical time, compelling the beleaguered Department of Defense nominee to independently persuade doubtful senators, Axios has reported.
“I do not think it is going anywhere,” one senator told Axios of Hegseth’s nomination prospects.
Why this matters: Trump is on path to lose his third nominee in two weeks, and this time he’s leaving his candidate out to dry.
GOP senators interpreted Trump’s handling of the Matt Gaetz nomination as a sign that he is willing to change his mind — and that he is not yet serious about fighting the Senate over rules and procedures.
Trump ran a phone campaign in November before telling Gaetz to drop out. Before announcing Gaetz, he called for break appointments from Senate GOP leader candidates.
The list of potential defense secretary replacements leaked to the press, which includes Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, suggests Trump is willing to change things up again.
Trump hangs Let us play the tape from Hegseth’s Wednesday
His meeting with top skeptic Sen. Joni Ernst, a combat veteran and sexual violence victim, did not appear to go well. The Iowa Republican issued a bland statement following the meeting, claiming that the conversation was “frank and thorough.” Hegseth has stated that women should not serve in combat, and he is facing sexual misconduct allegations.
Hegseth pledged to maintain sobriety in his position—a commitment he expressed to Megyn Kelly during an interview and in a meeting with Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss.)—following unfavorable reports regarding his alcohol consumption.
Hegseth urged House Republicans to formally support him, asserting that Trump remained aligned with him following their conversation.
Upcoming discussions: Additional potential dissenters are scheduled to confer with Hegseth next week — Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska).
Murkowski informed Axios that she has “numerous inquiries” for the nominee.