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FIRST ON FOX – More than 30 House Republicans who are military veterans express their “strong support” for Pete Hegseth, President-elect Trump candidate for Secretary of Defense.
In a letter to Republican Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, the new Senate Majority Leader, and Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer, the current Majority Leader, the House GOP lawmakers “Call on the Senate to fulfill its constitutional duty of advice and consent through a fair and thorough confirmation process.”
The letter, first shared with Fox News on Wednesday, was written by Rep. August Pfluger of Texas. He urges senators to evaluate Hegseth’s nomination “solely on his substantive merits: his distinguished military service, his academic credentials and a bold vision to revitalize our national defense.”
THE TIDE TURNS IN HEGSETH AS TRUMP’S DEFENSE SECRETARY NOMINEE GOES ON THE OFFENSE
Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of defense, gives a thumbs up as he walks with his wife Jennifer Hegseth, left, to meet with Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. , at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, Dec. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Hegseth, an Army National Guard officer who deployed to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and until last month was a longtime Fox News anchor, has been the focus of a flurry of reports highlighting a series of allegations of alcohol use and sexual misconduct, as well as a report alleging he mismanaged a veterans nonprofit that ran a time
Trump’s secretary of defense The candidate has denied allegations that he abused women, but reached a financial settlement with an accuser in a 2017 incident to avoid a lawsuit. He has vowed not to drink “a drop of alcohol” if confirmed as defense secretary.
WHAT PETE HEGSETH SAID TO FOX NEWS’ SEAN HANNITY
While Hegseth’s confirmation is still far from a sure bet, a very public pronouncement of support for Trump late last week, the behind-the-scenes efforts of Vice President Elect Senator JD Vance to persuade his GOP Senate colleagues to support the nominee, and Hegseth’s own determination, appears to have resurrected a nomination that appeared to be reeling last week.
Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas, participates in the House Republicans’ press conference at the U.S. Capitol, Wednesday, May 11, 2022. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images) (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
Pfluger, in the letter, emphasizes that Hegseth’s “ability to communicate across institutional landscapes—with military leadership, congressional representatives, and front-line troops—will set him apart. His media expertise and transparent communication style will be crucial to execute a clear vision that cuts through bureaucratic inertia”.
WHAT SENSE ERNST SPEAKS ON THE HEGSETH NOMINATION
“Mr. Hegseth represents the strategic reset our defense infrastructure requires: an unorthodox but qualified leader who can streamline the defense bureaucracy, accelerate modernization, and ensure America remains the world’s most formidable military power,” he argues. Pfluger.
Pfluger, an Air Force Academy graduate who served as an active-duty pilot for two decades and flew combat missions in Iraq and Syria. He later served on the National Security Council during Trump’s first term in office before winning election in 2020 to the House in Texas’ 11th congressional district.
Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Florida, attends the 2024 Concordia Annual Summit on September 23, 2024 in New York City. (John Nation/Getty Images)
The letter is co-signed by Rep. Michael Waltz of Florida, Trump’s pick to serve as national security adviser in his second administration. Waltz, a National Guard colonel, received four Bronze Stars while serving in the Special Forces during multiple combat tours in Afghanistan, the Middle East and Africa. In 2018, he became the first “Green Beret” elected to Congress.
Fellow veterans signing the letter are, in alphabetical order, Republican Reps. Mike Bost of Illinois, Andrew Clyde of Georgia, Elijah Crane of Arizona, Jake Ellzey of Texas, Scott Fitzgerald of Wisconsin, Scott Franklin of Florida, Mark Green. of Tennessee, Clay Higgins of Louisiana, Wesley Hunt of Texas, Ronny Jackson of Texas, Trent Kelly of Mississippi, Nick LaLota of New York, Barry Loudermilk of Georgia, Anna Paulina Luna of Florida, Morgan Luttrell of Texas, Brian Mast of Florida, Georgia’s Richard McCormick, Ohio’s Max Miller, Florida’s Cory Mills, Alabama’s Barry Moore, Texas’ Troy Nehls, Iowa’s Zach Nunn, Pennsylvania’s Guy Reschenthaler, Keith Self of Texas, Greg Steube of Florida, William Timmons of South Carolina, Derrick Van Orden of Wisconsin, Brandon Williams of New York, Ryan Zinke of Montana and Dan Crenshaw of Texas.
