Emboldened by massive grassroots support and pressure campaign, Donald Trump’s transition team welcomes new chief to a critical week of nominating sessions on Capitol Hill, reviving Pete Hegseth’s hopes for defense secretary and gave him confidence over other controversial candidates. Too.
In recent days, President Trump’s allies have adopted an approach that is not new to the president-elect and his supporters. It is about making life extremely unpleasant for anyone who dares to oppose him. The series of MAGA attacks experienced by Sen. Joni Ernst should serve as a warning to others who express skepticism about her personnel choices of what is to come.
Days after suggesting she continued to have serious concerns about Hegseth’s confirmation, Ernst struck a different tone Monday. She described Monday afternoon’s conversation as “encouraging,” said she would “support” Hegseth through the process, and shared some of the promises she made with Hegseth about what he would do in the role. publicity and indicated that they only intend to take seriously accusations against Hegseth if it comes from a named accuser.
This shift in attitude comes as President Trump’s most prominent allies and allies have aggressively promoted Hegseth, and Trump’s team has become more bullish on Hegseth’s confirmation following the defense secretary’s defiant performance. This was in response to what happened. But it’s not just Hegseth. Trump’s allies believe that Kash Patel, his pick for FBI director, and Tulsi Gabbard, his pick for director of national intelligence, are in a stronger position.
Mr. Hegseth has “become a cause,” said a Mr. Trump ally who spoke freely on condition of anonymity. “Even President Trump’s official operations, even against a movement that is doing terrible things for him.”
The fate of Mr. Hegseth and his fellow candidates could change at any time, and those close to the president-elect are wary and Mr. Trump’s team is closely tracking support on Capitol Hill. With the Senate Republican majority at 53-47, Trump can afford to lose three Republican votes. But this apparent change comes just days after President Trump laid out an emergency plan to replace him with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, due to grassroots pressure and the influence of Vice President-elect J.D. Vance. It showed how much support he had for Mr. Hegseth.
People close to President Trump say that if Mr. Hegseth’s nomination comes at the “cost” of Mr. Ernst, the president-elect has chosen other controversial candidates such as Mr. Gabbard, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Mr. Patel. He believed he would be “fodder for a frenzy” with the candidate.
And Mr. Vance was “very instrumental” last week in consolidating the support of Republican senators behind Mr. Hegseth and keeping Mr. Trump’s team in the fight, a person familiar with the transition process said.
“[Vance]was watching a game where the Senators believed they had more power than them,” the source said. “It’s widely understood that (Matt) Gaetz resigned himself. He knew there were certain senators who wouldn’t budge on him.”
The official continued that in Hegseth’s case, Trump’s allies knew they had to “draw a line here” to send a message to the senator.
Just last week, Ernst and Sen. Lindsey Graham publicly questioned Hegseth’s nomination. He appeared to be trying to follow in the footsteps of former attorney general candidate Matt Gaetz.
But after intense criticism from MAGA activists over the weekend and last weekend, Mr. Ernst on Monday expressed optimism about Mr. Hegseth, while also expressing optimism about other Trumps who are seen as similarly problematic. He expressed his approval of the candidate and posted another photo of himself smiling and supporting Patel. With Gabbard.
“We appreciate Mr. Pete Hegseth’s response and respect for the process,” Ernst said in a statement released by his office after a “reassuring” meeting with Mr. Hegseth on Monday. She said he would “complete a full audit of the Department of Defense, uphold the role and value of service members and military personnel based on quality and standards rather than quotas, and prioritize and strengthen my work to prevent crime.” “I will work hard to select senior officials who will do the same.” Sexual assault within the ranks. ”
Ernst added, “I will support Pete throughout this process and look forward to a fair hearing based on truth and not anonymous sources.”
Hegseth told reporters that his meeting with Ernst was “very good.”
“The more we talk, the more we realize how dedicated we are to our defense as veterans,” Hegseth said. “I simply appreciate her dedication to this process and look forward to working with her.”
Mr. Graham said he had a “very positive, thorough and candid meeting” with Mr. Hegseth, and, like Mr. Ernst, said the accusations should be supported by “testimony before Congress, not anonymous sources.”
Even before his meeting with Hegseth, Trump insiders believed on Monday that Ernst was viewing the situation in a much different light than he had been the previous week.
“Joni, I hear you,” said a Trump ally familiar with the transition process, “I hear you got the message loud and clear.”
The person said Ernst was “looking for a way out” after intense criticism from MAGA activists and public skepticism about Hegseth. The campaign began last week after prominent Trump allies, including his son Donald Trump Jr. and Charlie Kirk, posted on social media criticizing Ernst.
“Fix the bayonets. That’s what we’re doing here to ensure support for President Trump and his candidates,” Steve Bannon said Friday on his “War Room” show.
Sources said Mr. Hegseth owed his life to Mr. Trump. He said he was pleased with the president-elect’s defiant attitude in interviews and meetings at the Capitol last week. He is scheduled to interview Trump’s friend, Fox News anchor Sean Hannity, on Monday night.
“He took a firm stance, showing up on The Hill every day and having thoughtful conversations and meetings. His media blitz was very effective in proving he wasn’t backing down. “I think it was,” said a Trump transition official.
Supporters of Mr. Trump’s support emphasized that Mr. Hegseth’s fate will be different from Mr. Gaetz’s, as no senator has announced that he will not support his nomination.
Trump’s allies, including Kirk, have already vowed to challenge Republican senators from red states who don’t support Trump’s nominees in the primaries, and Trump’s team is set on this plan. hints at support.
An op-ed written by Iowa Attorney General Brenna Byrd urging senators to support President Trump’s nominee was roundly criticized by the Republican National Committee’s press corps. Some Republicans saw this as a major veiled threat to Ernst from a powerful ally of President Trump in Iowa.
“They have a great opportunity right now to show they’re willing to play ball to the bases,” Kirk spokesman Andrew Corbett said. “Let’s see where they stand.”
The bullish stance extended to some of President Trump’s staunchest allies in the Senate. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), who himself was being considered for secretary of defense, declared in X:
“Of the 72 cabinet nominees since the Clinton transition, only two have received no votes from the president-elect’s party,” he added. No one should be surprised that the Republican Senate approves President Trump’s nominee. ”
