Key GOP senators begin to fall in line behind Kash Patel and keep door open for Pete Hegseth
CNN
Top GOP senators on Monday signaled support for Donald Trump’s plan to oust the current FBI director in favor of firebrand loyalist Kash Patel, while keeping the door open for Pete Hegseth, who faces a slate of misconduct allegations, as the president-elect’s pick to run the Pentagon.
Top GOP senators on Monday signaled support for Donald Trump’s plan to oust the current FBI director in favor of firebrand loyalist Kash Patel, while keeping the door open for Pete Hegseth, who faces a slate of misconduct allegations, as the president-elect’s pick to run the Pentagon. Sen. Joni Ernst, who sits on the Armed Services Committee and is seen as a key potential swing vote, issued a positive assessment of her meeting with Hegseth on Capitol Hill on Monday. Ernst said that her conversations with the veteran and former Fox News host have been “encouraging,” and that he has “committed to completing a full audit of the Pentagon and selecting a senior official who will uphold the roles and value of our servicemen and women — based on quality and standards, not quotas — and who will prioritize and strengthen my work to prevent sexual assault within the ranks.” The statement shows that Hegseth has made progress in his attempt to win over senators after his nomination appeared to be in serious jeopardy last week over a 2017 sexual assault allegation as even Trump allies in Congress expressed concerns. Trump has continued to back Hegseth, however, setting up a challenge for any GOP senator who might go up against the pick. It is still early in the vetting process for Trump’s Cabinet nominees and confirmation votes won’t take place until next year. But it is clear that GOP senators are being careful to pick their battles and cautious of how they approach the president-elect’s selections. Hegseth denies any wrongdoing and has forcefully pushed back against the allegations against him, describing them as unfounded attacks. He told CNN on Monday that he had a “very good meeting” with Ernst.
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