Hegseth insists on not withdrawing despite challenges as Trump’s Defense nominee
The article discusses Donald Trump's enduring influence and the commitment of an unnamed individual to remain engaged in the ongoing struggle for as long as Trump desires their involvement. The piece emphasizes the unwavering dedication expressed by the individual, highlighted by his statement: “As long as Donald Trump wants me in this fight, I'm going to be standing right here in this fight.”
TroibNews 
Pete Hegseth spent this week working to secure his position as Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of Defense, engaging with both supportive and skeptical senators. He faced scrutiny over misconduct allegations, with his lawyer attempting to address those concerns, and even his mother took to Fox to defend him.
However, much of the attention during his Thursday meetings shifted to Sen. Joni Ernst, the Iowa Republican who continues to voice reservations about Hegseth's nomination and broader questions regarding his capability to lead the military.
Ernst has become a crucial Republican voice whose opposition could jeopardize Hegseth’s confirmation. During Hegseth’s first meeting on Thursday, a Fox reporter suggested that Ernst might not be fully backing him, to which she replied, “I think you are right.”
On Wednesday, Ernst had a meeting with Hegseth in her Senate office but indicated the following day that she had no plans to meet with him again that week. Instead, on Thursday, Hegseth met with other Republicans on the Senate Armed Services Committee, most of whom are Trump supporters and seemed to favor his Cabinet appointments, including Sens. Rick Scott, Mike Rounds, Tom Cotton, Katie Britt, and Ron Johnson. He also met with Senator-elect Jim Banks.
“I really do see a path forward for him to be successful in being accepted by the Senate for this position, but he's got more work to do,” Rounds remarked after his meeting with Hegseth. Rounds had previously expressed concerns about former Rep. Matt Gaetz, Trump's initial choice for attorney general, before Gaetz withdrew.
Without Ernst's support, along with that of other skeptical Republicans like Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins, Hegseth's nomination faces significant challenges.
After leaving Capitol Hill, the veteran and former Fox News figure told reporters that his only loyalties lie with Trump, God, his family, and the 100 senators voting on his confirmation, not the media.
He reaffirmed his determination to stay in the race: “As long as Donald Trump wants me in this fight, I'm going to be standing right here in this fight,” he stated on Thursday afternoon.
Hegseth addressed a number of allegations against him. In 2017, he was investigated for supposed sexual assault, although he was never formally charged. He later settled with the woman involved for an undisclosed amount, maintaining that the encounter was consensual. The New Yorker recently revealed that he stepped down from two nonprofits amid serious allegations of financial mismanagement, sexual impropriety, and personal misconduct.
Additionally, NBC News reported concerns from colleagues at Fox News about a potential drinking problem.
Previously, Trump’s transition team denied claims regarding Hegseth's drinking, but he stated he would abstain from alcohol if confirmed.
On Thursday, Hegseth expressed that he has changed and emphasized the support he has received from God, his family, and his wife, who accompanied him to the Senate: “I'm a different man than I was years ago, and that's a redemption story that I think a lot of Americans appreciate, and I know from fellow vets that I've spent time with, they resonate with that as well,” he said in response to the allegations. “You fight, you go do tough things in tough places on behalf of your country, and sometimes that changes you a little bit.”
Mathilde Moreau contributed to this report for TROIB News
However, much of the attention during his Thursday meetings shifted to Sen. Joni Ernst, the Iowa Republican who continues to voice reservations about Hegseth's nomination and broader questions regarding his capability to lead the military.
Ernst has become a crucial Republican voice whose opposition could jeopardize Hegseth’s confirmation. During Hegseth’s first meeting on Thursday, a Fox reporter suggested that Ernst might not be fully backing him, to which she replied, “I think you are right.”
On Wednesday, Ernst had a meeting with Hegseth in her Senate office but indicated the following day that she had no plans to meet with him again that week. Instead, on Thursday, Hegseth met with other Republicans on the Senate Armed Services Committee, most of whom are Trump supporters and seemed to favor his Cabinet appointments, including Sens. Rick Scott, Mike Rounds, Tom Cotton, Katie Britt, and Ron Johnson. He also met with Senator-elect Jim Banks.
“I really do see a path forward for him to be successful in being accepted by the Senate for this position, but he's got more work to do,” Rounds remarked after his meeting with Hegseth. Rounds had previously expressed concerns about former Rep. Matt Gaetz, Trump's initial choice for attorney general, before Gaetz withdrew.
Without Ernst's support, along with that of other skeptical Republicans like Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins, Hegseth's nomination faces significant challenges.
After leaving Capitol Hill, the veteran and former Fox News figure told reporters that his only loyalties lie with Trump, God, his family, and the 100 senators voting on his confirmation, not the media.
He reaffirmed his determination to stay in the race: “As long as Donald Trump wants me in this fight, I'm going to be standing right here in this fight,” he stated on Thursday afternoon.
Hegseth addressed a number of allegations against him. In 2017, he was investigated for supposed sexual assault, although he was never formally charged. He later settled with the woman involved for an undisclosed amount, maintaining that the encounter was consensual. The New Yorker recently revealed that he stepped down from two nonprofits amid serious allegations of financial mismanagement, sexual impropriety, and personal misconduct.
Additionally, NBC News reported concerns from colleagues at Fox News about a potential drinking problem.
Previously, Trump’s transition team denied claims regarding Hegseth's drinking, but he stated he would abstain from alcohol if confirmed.
On Thursday, Hegseth expressed that he has changed and emphasized the support he has received from God, his family, and his wife, who accompanied him to the Senate: “I'm a different man than I was years ago, and that's a redemption story that I think a lot of Americans appreciate, and I know from fellow vets that I've spent time with, they resonate with that as well,” he said in response to the allegations. “You fight, you go do tough things in tough places on behalf of your country, and sometimes that changes you a little bit.”
Mathilde Moreau contributed to this report for TROIB News
