The GOP is confident Hegseth has the votes after tough Senate hearings

“I think it was a great display of his knowledge, his communication skills and his leadership skills, and I feel very good about this hearing today, and I don’t think it could have gone any better,” the Senate Armed Services Committee chairman said. Roger Wicker. (R-MS), speaking to reporters after the hearing.

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Democrats pressure former Fox News anchor over allegations of impropriety, past comments women in the armyas well as allegations of financial abuse at two veterans’ organizations.

Hegseth is accused of sexual violence stemming from a 2017 incident that he said was consensual. Hegseth was never charged in the case, but later agreed to a settlement with the woman, who has not been publicly identified. He also faces charges of involvement alcohol abuse and claims he mismanaged two conservative veterans groups.

Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD), a member of the panel, said he believes Hegseth did a good job responding to the allegations against him.

“That’s what I expected it to be, basically, that there were anonymous allegations, and he kept reminding people that the allegations were anonymous in nature,” Rounds said, referring to Washington Examiner.

“I think based on what we’ve seen so far, I think he has a path forward and I think Republicans will support him,” Rounds added.

After the hearing, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) said Hegseth’s performance sealed his path to confirmation.

“The attacks on Democrats were too personal and failed,” Graham said in his post X. “It was clear that Pete was more prepared for the hearing than my Democratic colleagues.”

“With today’s performance, I believe Pete Hegseth’s path to confirmation has been secured,” he added.

The hearing ended without surprises, and throughout the process, Democratic senators voiced their complaints that Hegseth had not been subject to a more thorough investigation by the FBI. The investigation did not include an interview with the woman who accused Hegseth of sexual assault.

“I am not satisfied with the way the hearing went. Hegseth was not forthcoming, and he was unwilling to admit what was clearly on the record,” Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a member of the commission, said in a statement to Washington Examiner.

The top Democrat on the panel, Sen. Jack Reid (D-RI), argued that the FBI’s investigation into Hegseth was “inadequate.” The Rhode Island Democrat asked that the report be made widely available to all committee members, but Wicker denied that request, as well as another for a second round of questions.

“Unfortunately, Hegseth’s testimony did not address the troubling questions plaguing his candidacy,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) told reporters during his weekly news conference.

Wicker said Hegseth’s accuser in the 2017 sexual assault allegation was not questioned because she did not want to talk.

“I don’t think she wanted to talk. They interviewed about 60 or more witnesses, and three asked not to be named,” Wicker said. “I have no complaints about the FBI’s investigation. They thoroughly interviewed people in all the places where Hegseth lived and worked, and I don’t have no objection to the report.”

The chairman of the House Armed Services Committee said he aims to hold a vote on Hegseth’s nomination by next week and said he believes the nominee has the support of all Republicans in the caucus. Hegseth is seeking a majority on the committee, which is made up of 14 Republicans and 13 Democrats.

“I think the committee has been adequately briefed, and I think it basically seems like the committee members have made up their minds,” Wicker said.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) said he would work expeditiously to vote on Hegseth’s nomination in the Senate once the committee makes a decision.

“If he is removed from the committee, we will work quickly to clearly bring him to justice because this is a key, critical, important national security position that needs to be filled,” he said Tuesday.

A month ago, the appointment of a veteran of the National Guard appeared on life supportbut signs since then point to him being confirmed, thanks to those in Trump’s orbit fighting for him behind the scenes, as well as increased public pressure on Republican senators.

Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA), who was hesitated at first to support Hegseth, had a friendly chat with Hegseth during the hearing.

The Iowa senator, a combat veteran who has come forward about sexual assault, was under pressure from some Trumpof MAGA loyalists who threatened to arrange a primary challenge against her if she denies Hegset’s candidacy. After the hearing, Ernst announced her support for Hegseth.

“After four years of weakness in the White House, Americans deserve a strong defense secretary,” she said. told Fox News.

Reid acknowledged what he called a “campaign of intimidation” that has been ongoing since Hegseth’s announcement.

“There is an ongoing campaign to intimidate people into coming forward and testifying,” Reed said. “Furthermore, I believe, my colleagues, that there are now ads in their states saying that they should vote for Hegseth, and there are clear signals that if you don’t play ball, you’re going to get millions and millions dollars directed against you and social media directed against you to make your life miserable.”

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“At the end of the day, it’s going to come down to whether the United States Senate can fulfill its constitutional duty to advise and consent to the President of the United States and not just fall in line and do something appropriate,” Reed added.

If Hagseth’s nomination is approved by the committee, he needs a simple majority in the Senate, where Republicans hold a 53-47 advantage. Hegseth can’t afford to lose more than three GOP votes if all Democrats vote against him.