Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s choice to be Secretary of Defense, was on Capitol Hill yesterday, meeting with Republican senators, as he has come under pressure over questions about his personal conduct, including a 2017 sexual assault allegation which surfaced after Trump had announced his nomination. In an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal yesterday, Hegseth charged that he was the target of a “manufactured media takedown” and the victim of “a show trial in the press.”
Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-TN), meanwhile, said Hegseth did a “terrific job” in his meeting with Republican lawmakers, expressing confidence in President-elect Trump’s choice for the next Secretary of Defense, reported The Hill. Hagerty said Hegseth has met with senators, and also a “large number” of House Republicans. He told reporters: “Hegseth did a terrific job today. And he got overwhelming support, applause—everybody’s behind. And most importantly, he spoke with President Trump again this morning. President Trump is 100% behind him, and I think you’re going to see a process that’s going to be smooth.”
