Hegseth Gets A Boost From Trump Allies

President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is getting a boost from a pressure campaign from Trump supporters to keep GOP lawmakers in line behind the nominee.

Many Republican Senators had raised concerns over Hegseth, stemming from allegations of sexual misconduct and excessive drinking. While the timing and veracity of these allegations has come under question, they are serious enough to give pause to many Republican elected officials.

But after blowback from many Trump allies and several weeks of sit-down meetings with Hegseth, many Republican Senators say that they are supportive of letting the confirmation process play out.

The Republican Senators likely recognize the power and mandate of Donald Trump’s election. Not only does Mr. Trump have total command of the Republican base, he won all the swing states in the 2024 election, and ran ahead of Republican Senate candidates in each of the swing states. Donald Trump is more popular than the Republican Party brand.

That, along with the fact that Donald Trump speaks to the needs of the Republican base that no other GOP politician has since at least Ronald Reagan, and that going against Trump in the Republican Party not only is politically unsuccessful, it strengthens the Democratic Party, and allows themselves to be used as a useful idiot.

There is still a long way to go before Pete Hegseth is confirmed, but it seems like there is a fight back against the pressure campaign to block Hegseth’s confirmation. We should know more about what happens in the new year.