WASHINGTON -- President-elect Donald Trump offered a public show of support Friday for Pete Hegseth, his choice to lead the Defense Department. Hegseth faces questions over allegations of excessive drinking, sexual assault, and his views on women in combat roles.
Hegseth, a former Fox News host and Army National Guard major, spent much of the week on Capitol Hill trying to salvage his Cabinet nomination and privately reassure Republican senators that he is fit to lead Trump's Pentagon.
"Pete Hegseth is doing very well," Trump posted on his social media site. "He will be a fantastic, high energy, Secretary of Defense." The president added that "Pete is a WINNER, and there is nothing that can be done to change that!!!"
The nomination battle is emerging as a debate about the best person to lead the Pentagon and an inflection point for a MAGA movement relishing a fight over its push for a more masculine military and an end to diversity efforts.
Military leaders are rattled by a list of "woke" senior officers that conservative groups urged Pete Hegseth to dismiss if confirmed. The American Accountability Foundation's list includes 20 general officers or senior admirals with many female officers targeted for promoting diversity.
Tom Jones said those on the list are "pretty egregious" advocates for DEI policies. "The nominee has been pretty clear that that has no place in the military," Jones said of Hegseth.
Hegseth embraced Trump's effort against diversity programs in ranks. Other Trump picks suggested targeting those not aligned with Trump. Allies rallied around Hegseth; Heritage Foundation promised $1 million for his nomination support.
"We're not abandoning this nomination," Vice-President-elect JD Vance said while touring post-hurricane North Carolina. He believes Hegseth will be confirmed after speaking with GOP senators.
The effort tests Trump's influence among Republican senators concerned about nominees like Matt Gaetz and Chad Chronister who stepped aside under scrutiny. Thanking Trump for support, Hegseth posted online: "Like you, we will never back down."
Hegseth faces resistance from senators amid reports about past misconduct allegations he denies. He promised not to drink on job and denied engaging in sexual misconduct while defending views against women serving in combat roles.
Ernst wrote: "At a minimum, we agree that he deserves the opportunity to lay out his vision for our warfighters at a fair hearing."
If defeated, Trump's team fears it would empower spreading "vicious lies" against future candidates but looks at potential replacements including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis who discussed defense secretary post with Trump recently.