Thune Assures Trump That Hegseth Has Votes for Defense Secretary Confirmation Amid Allegations

Jan 5, 2025, 08:18 PM

Senate Majority Leader John Thune has privately informed President-elect Donald Trump that he believes Pete Hegseth, Trump's nominee for Secretary of Defense, will secure the necessary votes for confirmation, according to three sources. Thune's assurance comes despite earlier uncertainties about the support from all 53 Republican senators for Trump's cabinet picks. Hegseth's confirmation hearing is scheduled for January 14. The Senate Armed Services Committee has been seeking additional information regarding allegations of past sexual misconduct and financial mismanagement involving Hegseth, which he has denied. Thune has committed to ensuring a fair confirmation process for all of Trump's nominees, emphasizing the importance of their presentations before the committee.