On Friday, Vice President-elect JD Vance (R-Ohio) reiterated his and President-elect Trump’s support for Pete Hegseth, Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense. Vance also revealed that he is actively engaging with hesitant senators, encouraging them to give Hegseth a fair Senate hearing.
Vance made these remarks while visiting storm-stricken regions of North Carolina that are still recovering from Hurricane Helene. He was accompanied by Senators Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), who joined him on the tour.
JD Vance urges senators to give Pete Hegseth a fair confirmation hearing
Addressing reporters, Vance emphasized that Hegseth will face proper scrutiny through the Senate Armed Services Committee and not be judged by media narratives. He underscored Trump’s confidence in Hegseth, asserting that the nominee remains the right choice for leading the Defense Department. “We’re not walking away from Pete Hegseth,” Vance insisted, dismissing calls to abandon the nomination.
Vance also noted his outreach to key senators, including Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), who has publicly expressed concerns about Hegseth. Stressing the importance of the legislative process, Vance urged lawmakers to allow Hegseth’s confirmation to be decided by formal Senate proceedings rather than media reports and anonymous claims.
The nomination, however, remains under serious threat due to increasing allegations against Hegseth. The former Fox News host and Army veteran is accused of se*xual misconduct, excessive drinking, and inappropriate conduct during previous roles. Despite the controversy, Hegseth has been meeting with Republican senators this week, reaffirming his commitment to the nomination.
Reports suggest that up to eight Republican senators are considering voting against Hegseth’s confirmation. However, most have refrained from publicly opposing him, likely to avoid backlash from Trump’s MAGA base. Given the 53-seat Republican majority expected in the Senate next year, Hegseth can only afford three GOP defections if Democrats uniformly oppose his confirmation.
Sen. Joni Ernst’s position has drawn particular attention, as she has been a leading advocate for addressing military se*xual assault. Ernst, who is herself a survivor of se*xual assault, has expressed reservations about Hegseth, especially in light of a 2017 allegation that he assaulted a staffer at a Republican women’s conference.
On Truth Social, Trump defended Hegseth’s standing, claiming that the nominee is performing well and enjoys strong backing. Nevertheless, Trump has so far refrained from directly pressuring senators or making calls to secure votes. Meanwhile, sources have indicated that Trump has spoken to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis as a potential alternative should Hegseth withdraw his nomination.
