WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)– President-elect Donald Trump’s team is reportedly considering alternatives for defense secretary.
It comes as his pick to lead the Pentagon faces questions about his personal conduct.
Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth is back on Capitol Hill Thursday meeting with senators.
He said in a post on X on Wednesday, that he “won’t back down.”
The former Fox News host and Army veteran faces a sexual assault accusation, which he denies, and reports alleging intoxication at previous jobs.
“If the president wants him to be secretary of defense, then people ought to give him a shot,” Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) said.
Hawley says he hasn’t yet met with Hegseth but thinks he should at least get a hearing.
“Let him take the oath, let him answer all of his questions,” Hawley said.
Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) has met with Hegseth.
“It went well. It was frank,” Cramer said.
He says Hegseth addressed some of his concerns.
“He said my commitment is to not touch alcohol while I have this position,” Cramer said. “I’m ready to get him in front of the committee.”
However, Democrats like Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) have doubts he’ll make it to a hearing.
“My prediction is we won’t be talking about him by Monday,” Blumenthal said.
Blumenthal says concerns about personal conduct and experience could sink the confirmation.
“I have heard from five to 10 Republicans who have told me this nomination should be done,” Blumenthal said.
Hegseth would need a simple majority vote in the Senate to confirm him. That means just four Republicans could deny the confirmation, if all Democrats vote against him.
