Pete Hegseth Secures Key Senate Support, Confirmation Likely
Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Department of Defense, appears to have secured enough votes for confirmation after a critical holdout announced their support.
Burgess Everett, congressional bureau chief for Semafor, reported Thursday that Senator John Curtis (R-UT) confirmed he would back Hegseth’s nomination. Curtis had previously been considered a potential holdout following anonymously-sourced allegations of heavy drinking and sexual misconduct raised against Hegseth last month.
Hegseth was cleared of the sexual misconduct allegations after an investigation at the time found no evidence to support the claims, including surveillance footage and eyewitness testimony. However, the reports initially raised concerns among several Republican senators. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) described the allegations as “serious” and hinted she could withhold her support.
Ernst subsequently faced significant pressure from Trump’s base, with Iowa Republicans warning of potential primary challenges if she voted against Hegseth. After multiple meetings with the nominee, Ernst announced on Tuesday that she would support his confirmation.
Pete Hegseth’s confirmation as Secretary of Defense appears increasingly likely following his testimony before the Senate Homeland Security Committee earlier this week. Hegseth, a veteran of the War on Terror and former Fox News host, faced intense criticism from Senate Democrats during the hearing. However, the attacks seemed to have little impact, with odds of his confirmation surging past 90% on the prediction platform Polymarket shortly after the hearing.
Despite the positive momentum, a few potential hurdles remained. As of last month, at least six Republican senators were reportedly considering opposing Hegseth, according to NBC News. Among the potential holdouts was newly-elected Senator John Curtis (R-UT), who stated he would withhold endorsements until all candidates had completed their hearings. On Thursday evening, Curtis announced his support for Hegseth, further solidifying his path to confirmation.
With Republicans set to control 53 Senate seats in the new Congress, they can afford no more than three defections if all Democrats oppose Hegseth. Curtis’s decision to back the nominee leaves little room for further opposition and suggests Hegseth is on track to lead the Department of Defense and implement planned reforms.
Hegseth has been a focal point of Democratic criticism among President-elect Donald Trump’s remaining nominees. Throughout the confirmation process, Senate Democrats have targeted his record and personal conduct, though their efforts have largely failed to derail his nomination.
Other Trump nominees, however, have faced significant challenges. Former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, nominated for attorney general, withdrew his name from consideration after multiple Senate Republicans signaled they would not support him. While most of Trump’s remaining nominees are expected to be confirmed, Kash Patel, the nominee to lead the FBI, is likely to face the most resistance.
Patel, who has vowed to reform the FBI and curtail its influence in Washington, was a frequent topic of discussion during the confirmation hearing for attorney general nominee Pam Bondi earlier this week. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) pressed Bondi on Patel’s controversial statements, asking if she believed he was suitable for the role of FBI director.
“Is that a person who should appropriately lead the FBI? Aren’t those comments inappropriate? Shouldn’t you disavow them and ask him to recant them?” Blumenthal asked. Bondi, initially unfamiliar with the specific remarks, defended Patel’s qualifications. “What I do know is Mr. Patel was a career prosecutor, a career public defender, and someone with extensive experience in the intelligence community,” she responded.
While Patel’s confirmation remains uncertain, Hegseth’s path appears clear as key Republican support consolidates. With Curtis’s endorsement and momentum in his favor, Hegseth is poised to take on the role of Secretary of Defense, signaling the completion of a critical piece of President-elect Trump’s incoming administration.
Sophia Rivers is an experienced News Content Editor with a sharp eye for detail and a passion for delivering accurate and engaging news stories. At TheArchivists, she specializes in curating, editing, and presenting news content that informs and resonates with a global audience.
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