Several Senate Republicans Appear Hesitant on Key Trump Defense Nominee
Should he be confirmed, Elbridge Colby is expected to play a pivotal role in advising the Secretary of Defense and influencing U.S. national security policies.
WASHINGTON—Some Republicans may still require persuasion before they can endorse President Donald Trump’s nominee for a significant Pentagon strategy role.
Elbridge Colby is scheduled to testify before the Senate Armed Services Committee on March 4, as the Senate deliberates on his nomination to become the under-secretary of defense for policy.
If confirmed, Colby would act as the primary defense policy adviser for the Secretary of Defense and assist in formulating U.S. national security policies.
Coly’s nomination has seemingly divided elected Republicans and conservative commentators.
Kirk has accused Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) of attempting to undermine Trump by opposing Colby’s confirmation in the Senate.
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During a podcast interview with Clay Travis and Buck Sexton on Feb. 18, Cotton stated that one of his primary concerns is to ensure Iran does not acquire nuclear weapons.
Cotton remarked that he and Trump share a common stance against a nuclear-capable Iran.
As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, Cotton mentioned that his priority with any nominee for a national security role is to ensure that nominees align with those views.
“I look forward to discussing with [Colby] what he has previously written regarding Iran, his current thoughts, and how his views align with President Trump’s stated priority of preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons,” Cotton stated.
Since his podcast appearance, Cotton has not disclosed whether he has met with Colby to address any concerns about Colby’s stance on Iran.
In a subsequent discussion on a podcast with Fox News Radio’s Will Cain, Cotton mentioned “other issues” he wishes to explore with Colby.
Previously, the Arkansas Republican and Colby have had differing views on the Russia-Ukraine conflict and NATO.
Cotton declined a request for comment from The Epoch Times on March 3.
Colby’s Foreign Policy Views
Trump already has an established rapport with Colby, who was part of his first administration.
From 2017 to 2018, Colby held the position of deputy assistant secretary of defense for strategy and force development at the Pentagon.
During his tenure at the Pentagon, Colby contributed to the development of the Trump administration’s 2017 National Security Strategy and the Defense Department’s 2018 National Defense Strategy.
Outside government, Colby has provided insights and analysis on national security policies for various think tanks and news outlets.
“America should be ready to provide substantial material and political support to Israel. However, Israel must understand that the United States, which cannot be drawn into another Middle Eastern conflict, will assume a supportive role,” Colby stated.
Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility in a satellite photo on April 7, 2021. Planet Labs Inc. via AP
“Containment isn’t the ideal outcome—successfully preventing Iran’s acquisition is. However, if the only way to achieve that is through a likely ineffectual military campaign against Iran’s nuclear efforts, or, heaven forbid, an invasion, the arduous work of containment can serve as a lesser of two evils,” he articulated at the time.
After Kirk voiced concerns about Colby’s nomination last month, political commentator Park MacDougald took to X, claiming that Trump’s nominee “represents a sort of bipartisan establishment figure whose foundations lie in the Obama Democratic Party.”
MacDougald highlighted Colby’s tenure at the Center For A New American Security (CNAS) think tank prior to and following his time in the Trump administration.
MacDougald characterized CNAS as former President Barack Obama’s “preferred think tank,” and asserted that Colby supported Jeb Bush’s 2016 presidential campaign.
In response to MacDougald’s critiques, Vice President JD Vance came to Colby’s defense.
“He developed a relationship with CNAS when it was among the few institutions willing to employ a foreign policy realist.”
Donald Trump Jr. has also shown support for his father’s nominee.
“Similarly, Colby shares my father’s desire to avoid a significant Middle Eastern conflict if at all feasible,” Trump Jr. noted.
“Like my father, he does not seek out war; he is pragmatic, strong, and aims for non-military solutions whenever possible.”
Where Republican Lawmakers Line Up
Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), who previously was part of the Senate Armed Services Committee, recently conveyed to The Epoch Times that he supports Colby’s nomination.
Regarding the stance of his fellow Republicans, Hawley was uncertain.
“I’m going to vote for [Colby] with enthusiasm, but I’m unsure. I’m not on that committee anymore, so I lack insight into how the vote count stands,” Hawley expressed.
President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth, testifies before the Senate Armed Services Committee in Washington on Jan. 14, 2025. Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times
Cotton’s opinions on Colby could influence other Republican senators who have yet to disclose their positions.
When asked about Colby’s nomination last week, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) stated, “I’m going to discuss it with Sen. Cotton and understand his perspective, and I’ll get back to you.”
When contacted for comment last week, Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) pointed out that some Republican senators have previously expressed reservations about Trump’s other nominees before ultimately supporting the president’s choices.
Mullin predicted that a similar pattern would transpire with Colby’s nomination.
“We’ve managed to work through all those concerns,” the Oklahoma Republican affirmed.
