Pete Hegseth Gains GOP Support Despite Controversy in Bid for Pentagon Post

Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump‘s nominee for Defense Secretary, appears to be regaining support among Republican senators despite recent allegations of financial mismanagement, sexual impropriety, and other disqualifying behavior. Hegseth faced significant opposition last week following a report by The New Yorker, which ABC News has not independently confirmed, and which Hegseth has largely denied.

On Tuesday, Hegseth met with several key Republican senators, including Sen. Joni Ernst and Sen. Lisa Murkowski, both of whom are viewed as crucial in his confirmation process. Ernst, a member of the Armed Services committee and a combat veteran like Hegseth, indicated she would support him through the process, although she did not commit to a final vote. Murkowski also had a “good exchange” with Hegseth, suggesting a potential softening of her stance.

The Trump team has ramped up efforts to secure Hegseth’s confirmation, including releasing a video featuring friendly GOP senators praising Hegseth. Additionally, a conservative group with ties to Elon Musk is spending half a million dollars on ads urging viewers to call their senators in support of Hegseth’s nomination.

Hegseth has also agreed to an FBI background check, a step many Republican senators had requested as part of the vetting process. He has attempted to clarify past comments that were critical of women serving in combat roles, stating that he supports women in the military and acknowledging their contributions as warriors.

The political pressure on Republican lawmakers to back Hegseth’s nomination is high, given the party’s thin three-seat majority in the new Congress. Trump himself has publicly backed Hegseth, expressing confidence in his ability to serve as Defense Secretary).