Senators are preparing for confirmation battles amid Trump’s unconventional cabinet choices

CNN
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Republicans dodged a confirmation storm with former Republican Matt Gaetz withdrew from consideration as attorney general, but lawmakers on Capitol Hill are already preparing for how they will deal with the next wave of Trump’s unconventional choices – and have warned about the president-elect’s decision to lead a Pentagon that has been controversial over his past comments and his history of the confirmation process is a long and invasive process.

Some of Trump’s Cabinet nominees, including Pete Hegseth, Trump’s pick for Secretary of Defense, and Tulsi Gabbard, his pick for director of national intelligence, could force Republicans to choose between loyalty to Trump and growing concerns that some of his nominees may will not be ready for the job or may not be able to be confirmed in the narrowly controlled Senate.

On Thursday, Hegseth met with a handful of Republican senators, many of whom are seen as close Trump allies, in a series of meetings. Lawmakers who showed up included Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, who called it a “great meeting,” and Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma, who called Hegseth “very qualified to do this job.”

Earlier on the morning of these meetings, new details emerged about a 2017 police report in which the woman alleged that Hegseth prevented her from leaving her hotel room, took her phone and then sexually assaulted her even though she “remembered that she said “no” very much,” – CNN reported.

Police declined to press charges, and Hegseth maintains the meeting was consensual.

Although some party members signal support for the nomination, other Republicans on the Hill warn there are growing concerns about Hegseth. Although many senators have known Hegseth, the Fox News host, for years, the process of vetting him for defense secretary will force them to look at him and his views in a new light.

First, Republicans made it clear to him – as they did to Gaetz shortly before the former congressman withdrew his name from consideration for attorney general – that the confirmation process was a lengthy one, involving multiple meetings with sometimes skeptical senators, and culminating in an unusually an important confirmation hearing that will likely provide a deeper look into the allegations against him. That, aides and members warn, will come before senators question him on whether he is prepared to lead an entity as powerful as the Pentagon, given his limited experience.

Another important issue is Hegseth’s previous statements about women serving in combat roles in the military. With a 53-seat majority, Hegseth and other Trump nominees can only afford to lose three Republican votes, leaving little room for error.

In a sign of the potential challenges ahead for Trump’s election, GOP Sen. Kevin Cramer on Thursday called the sexual assault allegations against Hegseth “pretty disturbing,” although Cramer said he would not prejudge Hegseth until the Senate has had a chance to fully vet him. background.

Hegseth is not alone. Another Trump nominee whom Republicans are closely watching is former Republican Tulsi Gabbard, who has come under increased scrutiny for her views on surveillance and the surveillance agencies she will soon be able to run.

“If we take into account the ranking of people who have the biggest problems, she is in first place,” warned one Republican Party adviser.

Another Trump pick who has stirred controversy, including his skepticism about vaccines, is Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the president-elect’s pick to be the next secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.

Gaetz’s quick withdrawal underscored that even as Republicans soon take control of both houses of Congress and the White House, the president-elect will still face at least some obstacles.

Gaetz withdrew from consideration after going to the Capitol on Wednesday for his own meeting with GOP senators in an effort to shore up support for his nomination. But on Thursday morning Trump called Gaetz with the bad news: According to a source with direct knowledge of the invitation, he did not have the votes in the Senate to confirm.

When news of Gaetz’s decision not to run for attorney general reached senators on Capitol Hill, many members – who knew Gaetz would be difficult to confirm – were relieved.

“It was going to be very difficult. Very difficult. The most difficult of the nominees,” said one senator from the Republican Party, provided he had the knowledge to speak freely.

Some of the selections so far have also raised questions about the level of vetting of Trump’s nominees before the president-elect announces his name. Trump’s transition team was in the process of announcing new Cabinet members when it was informed of the sexual assault accusation against Hegseth, – CNN reportedstunning several team members.

Asked about how Trump’s team vets potential nominees, Cramer told reporters: “That’s their concern – if they don’t want to vet candidates anymore or they want to take a chance, that’s up to them.” Our work will involve veterinary medicine. If they don’t do it, we will; If it happens, we will.”

When pressed on whether the charges Hegseth faces give him pause, Cramer said: “It’s a pretty big problem considering we have a sexual assault problem in our military.”

“That’s why background checks are done, that’s why they’re interviewed, and that’s why they’re audited. “I’m not going to prejudge him, but yes, it’s quite a disturbing accusation,” he said.

Hegseth claimed Thursday that because there were no charges, he was “completely cleared” of the investigation into the allegations against him.

“When it comes to the media, I will put it very simply. The case was thoroughly investigated and I was completely cleared. I’m going to leave it at that,” he told reporters.

Although no charges were brought, report does not claim that the police found the allegations to be false, what Hegseth’s lawyer claimed.

His lawyer acknowledged that Hegseth later reached a settlement with his accuser that included an undisclosed cash payment and a confidentiality clause. Although Hegseth insisted the meeting was consensual, the lawyer expressed concern that the woman could make allegations against him amid the #MeToo movement, which could cost him his job as a Fox News host.

Mullin said Hegseth voluntarily raised the sexual assault allegation against him during the Capitol meeting. Based on the police report, Mullin said he did not view the incident as a sexual assault.

“He voluntarily talked about it,” Mullin told reporters after the meeting. “Of course we started from scratch. This is a topic that will be discussed.”

“As this story unfolds, you will understand that he is highly qualified to do this job and should do it. “There was an unfortunate situation where he was accused of doing something that I don’t believe he did,” he added. Mullin said.

Republican Senator Bill Hagerty also defended Hegseth against the allegations.

“It is a disgrace that these allegations are nothing more than what you said, allegations. “It’s he-she said,” he said.