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The initial response to the nomination was one of utter astonishment. A weekend host on a Fox News morning show as the head of the Department of Defense, the country’s largest employer? Really?
Then came the reminders of Pete Hegseth’s contentious opinions, including his opposition to women serving in combat roles. He has also voiced that the Pentagon’s diversity initiatives are fostering a culture of “wokeness” among military personnel. Reports emerged highlighting his previous endorsements of individuals facing war crime allegations, which drew criticism from Pentagon officials. Furthermore, there were accusations regarding potential war crimes connected to his unit, a history of anti-Muslim statements, and even a tattoo associated with white Christian nationalism. Military colleagues expressed concerns, suggesting he might pose an “insider threat” unfit for high-pressure settings.
Despite these alarming issues, the team at Mar-a-Lago, the informal headquarters for the incoming Trump Administration, appeared unbothered. Reportedly, Republicans close to Trump were already aware of these controversies prior to nominating Hegseth for Secretary of Defense, a role that could place him sixth in line for the presidency. While Senate Republicans publicly maintained unity, many held private reservations, feeling as if they were on a familiar, tumultuous ride.
However, the subsequent revelations left even the Trump team reeling. Hegseth faced serious allegations of sexually assaulting a woman at a Republican women’s conference in California, accompanied by a police report and a hush-money settlement. (Hegseth has refuted these claims, insisting the encounter was consensual and stressing he has not been charged. He also defended his views and tattoo, labeling it merely a “Christian symbol” that should not bar him from safeguarding President Biden’s inauguration.)
In the following days, more troubling narratives surfaced, including a letter from Hegseth’s mother accusing him of being a habitual abuser and a reckless individual. Reports characterized him as a poor manager of funds from the influential Koch network, a sexist bully, and a drunkard at work who had been dismissed. Allegations emerged that he charged hotel costs for extramarital affairs to his wife’s credit card, along with testimonies from former Fox colleagues raising alarms about his drinking habits.
Typically, such scandals would derail any nominee for even minor roles, let alone a pivotal position like Secretary of Defense. But this is Trump, who often seems to thrive in controversy. His senior aides have doubled down in support of Hegseth, even as whispers suggested it might not be the wisest use of their political capital.
Yet, Trump’s loyalty has its limits. By late Tuesday afternoon, signs began to emerge that Hegseth’s nomination was facing serious obstacles. He could afford to lose three Republican Senators, but it appeared there were more than a few skeptics. Lawmakers like Senator Lindsey Graham from South Carolina indicated that advancing Hegseth’s nomination could be “difficult.” Senator Joni Ernst, a retired Army Reservist from Iowa and a member of the Armed Services Committee, expressed her intention to have a “candid” conversation with Hegseth. Senator Roger Wicker, chair of that committee, noted that Hegseth would need to address critical questions from his panel if he wanted to withstand the storm of negative press. Some Republicans, who have been erratic allies to Trump, could jeopardize the nomination; the focus is particularly on Senators Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. Others are preparing for a whistleblower report and audit regarding Hegseth’s tenure managing the Koch-affiliated veterans’ organization.
Privately, staff on Capitol Hill are following the nomination with a mix of anticipation and apprehension. While Trump’s team projects confidence, aides within GOP leadership are becoming increasingly doubtful. According to three Hill aides, at least six Republican Senators are considered undecided.
This isn’t the first time a Cabinet nominee under Trump has faced turbulence. He initially backed former Representative Matt Gaetz for the Department of Justice until it became clear that his nomination could lead to significant headaches. The sheer amount of negative press surrounding Gaetz’s alleged sexual misdeeds with minors and drug use ultimately proved overwhelming for the President-elect. Trump can tolerate support for someone as long as it doesn’t result in embarrassment; bad news is acceptable if it’s not new news to him. When media attention shifts away from Trump, it poses a potential liability.
Gaetz’s rapid exit from the Cabinet nomination process remains one of the swiftest in history, rivaling an eight-day debacle faced by George W. Bush’s Labor Secretary pick in 2000.
So far, Republicans who will influence the confirmation process for Trump’s Cabinet picks have largely remained steadfast regarding Hegseth, unlike their reaction to Gaetz. Nonetheless, concerns about proceeding with an individual inexperienced in overseeing an entity as critical as the Pentagon have cast shadows on the nomination. Senate Republicans are cautious of Trump and his supporters, but they also recognize the need to vet the individual who will advise him on significant military decisions. The line between manageable and untenable is precariously thin, and Trump appears to be testing that boundary with Hegseth.
To date, Democrats have opted to take a step back and allow Republicans to navigate their own controversies. A common sentiment on Capitol Hill since the nomination process began has resembled that of bystanders watching a train wreck while enjoying popcorn. Although Democrats lack the power to veto Trump’s selections, they remain uncertain about the outcomes. The turmoil has already led to Gaetz’s downfall, and Hegseth or even Tulsi Gabbard, Trump’s nominee for the intelligence chief position, may soon follow suit. Other contentious nominations include Kash Patel, a former Hill aide lined up to lead the FBI, and the controversial Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Health and Human Services.
Currently, Trump’s team is advising allies to exercise patience regarding the rest of the slate. Hegseth is undertaking a charm offensive with Hill offices, and numerous Republicans are signaling their allegiance. “My stance is that whatever President Trump decides, I will support,” remarked Senator Mike Crapo when questioned about nominees proceeding without an FBI background check. (Following Crapo’s remarks, the Trump campaign announced plans to collaborate with federal agencies on the vetting process.)
It’s crucial to remember that for every moment of tension when someone like Collins or Murkowski seems hesitant about Trump’s choices, they are still generally more likely to align with him than not. Yet, despite Trump’s substantial backing among Senate Republicans, Hegseth continues to face hurdles. The latest disclosures—that he charged hotel expenses to his then-wife’s credit card while engaged in multiple affairs—further threaten his nomination. Trump enjoys surprising his supporters but dislikes being caught off guard himself. This might explain why some of his congressional allies are not heavily investing their efforts in preparing for Hegseth’s potential confirmation hearing. Given the chaotic nature of this nomination so far, it may feel futile. Washington appears to be in a waiting game, curious to see if Trump will ultimately shift his focus to another candidate. Welcome to the Waiting Game, Trump-style.
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