Graham Set to Advance Trump Nominee Pete Hegseth
“He’s shared his perspective with me. It resonates, and I trust him,” Sen. Lindsey Graham remarked.
On December 15, a prominent Republican senator expressed his belief that Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for defense secretary, will be confirmed unless those who have lodged accusations against him without revealing their identities decide to come forward.
“I’m feeling positive about Pete, unless some unknown information comes to light,” stated Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) during an NBC interview on “Meet the Press.”
“These are all anonymous allegations. He’s shared his account with me, and it adds up. I believe him,” Graham stated on NBC. “Unless someone chooses to step up, I expect he’ll move forward.”
As the ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Graham referenced the confirmation hearings for Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, during which several women accused him of misconduct.
“Five individuals claimed Justice Kavanaugh engaged in misconduct. Three of those claims were outright fabrications, and I found the other two to be not credible,” Graham commented. “We will not allow a similar scenario to unfold for Pete. His nomination cannot be jeopardized based on anonymous allegations. Individuals must present credible accusations, and we’ll see if they do.”
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In 2020, Hegseth compensated the woman who made the police report, securing her signature on a nondisclosure agreement, as stated by his attorney, Timothy Parlatore.
According to Graham, Hegseth informed him that the woman could be released from this agreement.
“I discussed this matter thoroughly in television interviews over a week ago. There’s nothing new to add,” Parlatore conveyed to The Epoch Times on Monday.
During a CNN appearance, Parlatore noted that the woman was permitted to speak freely, but if she were to reiterate what he termed “false statements,” she might be at risk of a defamation lawsuit regarding the allegations in the report.
The defense secretary position, which is part of the Cabinet, requires Senate confirmation. A nominee achieves confirmation with a simple majority. Republicans are projected to hold 53 seats in the Senate’s 100-member chamber starting January 2025.
Since Trump’s selection, several Republican senators have engaged in individual meetings with Hegseth. Following Trump’s inauguration on January 20, 2025, a public confirmation hearing will occur where Hegseth will be available for questioning. A committee, which will possess a Republican majority, will then determine whether to advance the nomination for a full Senate vote.
