
Pete Hegseth’s path to becoming Secretary of Defense clears major hurdles as Senators Cassidy and Ernst throw their support behind the nominee.
At a Glance
- Senators Bill Cassidy and Joni Ernst endorse Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense
- Hegseth’s academic qualifications and military experience impress supporters
- Ernst’s backing comes after initial hesitation and thorough questioning
- Hegseth commits to addressing key issues including Pentagon audits and sexual assault prevention
- With Republican support, Hegseth’s confirmation appears increasingly likely
Critical Endorsements Boost Hegseth’s Chances
Pete Hegseth, the nominee for Secretary of Defense, has secured crucial endorsements from Republican Senators Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and Joni Ernst of Iowa. These endorsements significantly improve Hegseth’s prospects for confirmation in the Senate, where Republicans hold a 53-47 majority.
It looks like he’s in!
Senator Cassidy praised Hegseth’s credentials and performance during the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing.
“The President’s pick for Secretary of Defense, Mr. Hegseth, has impressive academic qualifications, conducted himself very well in the Senate Armed Services hearing, and has a commendable record of service in uniform,” Senator Cassidy said.
After everything that’s been thrown at Hegseth, that’s a pretty big deal!
Senator Joni Ernst’s endorsement was particularly significant, too, given her initial uncertainty and her status as an abuse survivor. Ernst, a combat veteran like Hegseth, had expressed reservations but ultimately decided to support him after a second meeting in December and his performance during the confirmation hearing.
“Yes, I will be supporting President Trump’s pick for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth,” Sen. Joni Ernst said.
Ernst’s support came after she thoroughly questioned Hegseth on critical issues such as women in combat roles, conducting Pentagon audits, and addressing sexual assault in the military. Hegseth’s responses and commitments to these issues played a crucial role in securing her backing.
Addressing Key Defense Priorities
During the confirmation process, Hegseth faced questions on several pressing issues facing the Department of Defense. He committed to appointing a senior military official dedicated to s*xual assault response and prevention, a move that resonated with Senator Ernst, who has been a vocal advocate for combating sexual assault in the military.
“A priority of mine has been combating sexual assault in the military and making sure that all of our service members are treated with dignity and respect. This has been so important. Senator Gillibrand and I have worked on this, and we were able to get changes made to the uniform code of military justice to make sure that we have improvements, and on how we address the tragic and life altering, issues of rape, sexual assault. It will demand time and attention from the Pentagon under your watch, if you are confirmed,” Sen. Joni Ernst said.
Hegseth also faced questioning about allegations of alcohol abuse, financial mismanagement, and assault, all of which he denied.
Are we looking at Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth?