President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance gave a full-throated defense of their embattled nominee for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth (Pete Hegseth Nominated for Secretary of Defense (Updated) – RedState and OPINION: Why Pete Hegseth is a Great Choice for Secretary of Defense – RedState ). Hegseth has been constantly attacked since his nomination over nonsensical topics like his tattoos (HOT TAKES: AP Tries a “Stunning” Anti-Catholic Attack on Pete Hegseth and People Aren’t Have It – RedState) and more substantive issues involving his personal behavior and managerial ability (OPINION: Why President Trump needs a Plan B for the Hegseth nomination – UPDATED – RedState).
While things looked bleak for Hegseth earlier in the week, I believe he is now on the path to confirmation. Let me tell you why.
The press reports have burned out
On Hegseth there was a flood of damaging stories about regular public drunkenness and womanizing. These stories did not receive the expected response for several reasons. Many colleagues rallied around Hegseth to deny the stories that made it appear that Hegseth was an alcoholic and to create a solid doubt that undermined the narrative that was forming (OPINION: Recent SecDef Candidate Pete Hegseth Smears Ring False; Fox News Colleagues, Senators Cry Foul – RedState and the slanders of Pete Hegseth show that the Press has not learned its lesson and continues to trample on journalistic ethics – RedState). The woman who filed a police report alleging Hegseth sexually abused her doesn’t fare particularly well in the report. While the left screamed about him “forcing” them to sign a non-disclosure agreement, with the right lighting, their refusal to cooperate with the police investigation and waiting three years to demand a settlement, one could also capture images of a test shoot .
While there may still be stories waiting to come out, given the bullshit media attacks on Hegseth’s military service (The Washington Post Goes Dumpster Diving With New Attack on Pete Hegseth’s Military Service – RedState) and religion, I think so that the media consensus is that the wine, women and song stories are not going anywhere.
He doesn’t feed the beast
The best way to keep a story alive in the media is to keep talking about it. Hegseth has shown remarkable discipline in resisting the temptation to engage in conversations with the media, which will inevitably lead to further conversations and controversy. This video shows his strategy succinctly.
HOLY SHIT
Pete Hegseth just pissed off the media and says he’s not answering them. Bravo.
“That will NOT be [confirmation] Trial attempted in the media. I don’t respond to anyone in this group – any of you. Not with this camera.
“I’m responding to President Trump, who received 76… pic.twitter.com/8DI1HpVekI
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) December 5, 2024
I am proud of what I fought for. I won’t back down from them one bit. I will answer any questions from these senators. But this will not be a process that will be tested in the media. I don’t respond to anyone in this group – any of you. Not at all with this camera. I respond to President Trump, who has received 76 million votes and a mandate for change on his behalf. I’m responding to the 50… the 100 senators involved in this process and those on the committee. And I answer to my Lord and Savior, my wife and my family. I’m proud to be here. As long as Donald Trump wants me in this fight, I will be here in this fight. We are fighting to restore our Pentagon to what it needs to be.
Lock up Joni Ernst
I think Hegseth can count on three GOP votes against him: Susan Collins, Mitch McConnell and Lisa Murkowski. That means he has to take on the rest of the GOP caucus because he has to assume that Democrats, even Fetterman, will vote in lockstep. Three votes put the decision in the hands of JD Vance. Four negative votes make the nomination a failure.
It appears his first meeting with Ernst didn’t go well, so they scheduled a second meeting (Iowa Senator Ernst Speaks Out on Hegseth Nomination – RedState).
In my opinion, the criticism Ernst has faced, seemingly from the grassroots, has had an impact, and she will vote for his confirmation – not just because it’s the right thing to do, but also because she doesn’t want to be Liz Cheney. One of the more clever lines of attack was to claim that Ernst was punishing Hegseth could have the nomination for themselves.
NEW: The Des Moines Register highlights growing “backlash” in Iowa among Republicans and Trump supporters @SenJoniErnst for the as yet unconfirmed confirmation of @PeteHegseth
The piece quotes @BrennaBird has reported @BreitbartNews to that too. pic.twitter.com/wkVL2jNeV7
— Matthew Boyle (@mboyle1) December 6, 2024
Lindsey Graham sidelined
At first, Lindsey Graham sounded skeptical.
SEN. GRAHAM ON HEGSETH CLAIM: “Some of these articles are very disturbing. He obviously has a chance to defend himself here, but some of these things are going to be difficult, you know, time will tell.” pic.twitter.com/qDOq9rnlfy
– Breaking911 (@Breaking911) December 3, 2024
In two days that was Graham.
I will not make a decision about Pete Hegseth’s nomination based on anonymous sources.
I’ve known Pete for a long time. We met briefly in Afghanistan once and I heard nothing but great things about his service there.
Anonymous sources don’t count. pic.twitter.com/I7M5llibBe
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) December 5, 2024
I also don’t think we can downplay Nancy Mace’s rumored main challenge.
NEW: The truth is revealed.
Nancy Mace’s entire bathroom trick was clearly a publicity stunt in preparation for her candidacy for South Carolina governor or Senate.
There was nothing organic about her bathroom outrage.
— Cryptid Politics (pro-DeSantis) 🇺🇸🐊 (@CryptidPolitics) December 5, 2024
A vote for Hegseth will likely allow Graham to retire in peace. Rejecting his nomination guarantees a robust electorate and a formidable candidate.
Strays come home
It was previously reported that six senators would do so vote against Hegseth. These senators are Susan Collins (Maine), John Curtis (Utah), Joni Ernst (Iowa), Mitch McConnell (Kentucky), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) and Thom Tillis (North Carolina). Lindsay Graham (South Carolina) and Kevin Cramer (North Dakota) are on the line.
Thom Tillis has announced he will vote to confirm Hegseth.
.@JackPosobiec That was sloppy reporting. Daily Caller used an elderly quote he made in passing last month and didn’t bother reaching out to our office for comment. Tillis’ position is very clear. https://t.co/Fb41Lto13g
— Dan Keylin (@dankeylin) December 6, 2024
Kevin Cramer seems to be a yes.
.@SenKevinCramer: Pete Hegseth “is a warrior’s warrior. He is someone that the rank-and-file military can rely on and say: ‘Finally there is someone at the top who represents us. Not just the people who have stars on their shoulders.’” pic.twitter.com/pE6W6WnPwp
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) December 5, 2024
John Curtis has not yet made a public statement. Will he follow Mike Lee’s lead or be Mitt Romney 2.0?
Support from above
The gigantic factor in Hegseth’s surviving stories, which would have killed any other nomination, is support from above. Trump has encouraged Hegseth to keep fighting, even if it must be painful for his wife. Trump not only encouraged him, but also made it clear to everyone that Pete Hegseth was his man.
Yesterday Trump wrote
Pete Hegseith is doing very well. His support is robust and deep, much more than the imitation news would have you believe. He was a great student – he was educated at Princeton/Harvard – and had a military mindset. He will be a fantastic, energetic Defense Secretary who will lead with charisma and skill. Pete is a WINNER and there’s nothing you can do about that!!!!
JD Vance added:
Led by President Trump, we are fighting for Pete Hegseth. And we do that because Pete Hegseth will fight for our troops.
For too long the Pentagon has been run by people who lose wars. Pete Hegseth is a man who fought in these wars.
We stand behind him.
Led by President Trump, we are fighting for Pete Hegseth. And we do that because Pete Hegseth will fight for our troops.
For too long the Pentagon has been run by people who lose wars. Pete Hegseth is a man who fought in these wars.
We stand behind him. pic.twitter.com/6n57SSQQ5X
– JD Vance (@JDVance) December 6, 2024
I think the subtext here is clear to any Republican senator thinking about voting no. A no vote means Trump, Vance and the movement that brought them to the White House is tantamount to a declaration of war.
A lot could happen between now and January, but unless something up-to-date comes along that completely rearranges the pieces on the board, I think Pete Hegseth will have his chance to reform the Defense Department.
