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Pete Hegseth returned to Capitol Hill on Wednesday to meet with lawmakers in an effort to protect his bid to lead the Pentagon amid growing questions about his personal conduct."No," Hegseth said when asked if he would be dropping out.Reports indicate that the Trump transition team is considering potential replacements, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and incoming Trump national security advisor Michael Waltz, according to the Associated Press."I believe that we need an FBI background check to evaluate the allegations," said Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine.The Trump transition team signed a "memorandum of understanding" allowing the Justice Department to conduct background checks on nominees and staff. This is an essential step for a smooth transition of power, enabling Trump's future administration to obtain security clearances before Inauguration Day to access classified information."I've talked to 5 to 10 Republicans who have said to me, they're just waiting for the right moment to say no to Pete Hegseth," said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn.Hegseth called the allegations "BS stories" on social media, stating he won't back down as he worked to shore up support with senators on Wednesday."It's been a wonderful process to go through and meet with senators, especially members of the Armed Services Committee whose passion is the Defense Department," Hegseth said."It was a frank and thorough conversation," said Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, a former combat veteran whose work has focused on trying to stamp out sexual assault in the military.The senator's support is considered critical in the tightly divided Senate. If all Senate Democrats vote against Hegseth, he can only afford four Republican defectors.Hegseth's mother, Penelope Hegseth, defended her son on "Fox & Friends" Wednesday morning, despite a controversial email she sent him chastising his character.Hegseth "is not that man he was seven years ago, and I am not that mother," Penelope Hegseth said, discussing a 2018 email where she told her son he "belittles, lies, cheats, sleeps around and uses women for his own power and ego."Penelope Hegseth said she quickly apologized for the email and said she sent it in an emotional state.
Pete Hegseth returned to Capitol Hill on Wednesday to meet with lawmakers in an effort to protect his bid to lead the Pentagon amid growing questions about his personal conduct.
"No," Hegseth said when asked if he would be dropping out.
Reports indicate that the Trump transition team is considering potential replacements, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and incoming Trump national security advisor Michael Waltz, according to the Associated Press.
"I believe that we need an FBI background check to evaluate the allegations," said Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine.
The Trump transition team signed a "memorandum of understanding" allowing the Justice Department to conduct background checks on nominees and staff. This is an essential step for a smooth transition of power, enabling Trump's future administration to obtain security clearances before Inauguration Day to access classified information.
"I've talked to 5 to 10 Republicans who have said to me, they're just waiting for the right moment to say no to Pete Hegseth," said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn.
Hegseth called the allegations "BS stories" on social media, stating he won't back down as he worked to shore up support with senators on Wednesday.
"It's been a wonderful process to go through and meet with senators, especially members of the Armed Services Committee whose passion is the Defense Department," Hegseth said.
"It was a frank and thorough conversation," said Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, a former combat veteran whose work has focused on trying to stamp out sexual assault in the military.
The senator's support is considered critical in the tightly divided Senate. If all Senate Democrats vote against Hegseth, he can only afford four Republican defectors.
Hegseth's mother, Penelope Hegseth, defended her son on "Fox & Friends" Wednesday morning, despite a controversial email she sent him chastising his character.
Hegseth "is not that man he was seven years ago, and I am not that mother," Penelope Hegseth said, discussing a 2018 email where she told her son he "belittles, lies, cheats, sleeps around and uses women for his own power and ego."
Penelope Hegseth said she quickly apologized for the email and said she sent it in an emotional state.
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