Tuberville advocates for Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense

December 3, 2024 – WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) met with both Representative Elise Stefanik (R-New York), President Donald J. Trump's (R) nominee to be Ambassador to the United Nations, and Fox News host Pete Hegseth, President Trump's nominee to be Secretary of Defense.

In both meetings, Sen. Tuberville discussed President' Trump's America First agenda and policy priorities for the upcoming administration.

"Enjoyed meeting with Rep. Elise Stefanik this afternoon to discuss how we can get back to peace through strength," Sen. Tuberville said of Stefanik. "She will do a great job advocating for Americans and their tax dollars at the U.N."

Tuberville is one of Trump's most loyal supports in the U.S. Senate and he has expressed his support for Hegseth – which has become a very controversial nominee. Hegseth has never held a high rank or served at the Pentagon either as a general officer or as a civilian DoD employee.

"Pete Hegseth will be a great Secretary of Defense," said Sen. Tuberville. "He is a decorated veteran and a true patriot. As I told him, we don't need a General Officer, Admiral, or a 'person of high command.' We need a Drill Sergeant in the military. We need somebody to straighten the military out – to get the woke, DEI affiliation out. I know he is the right choice to bring change and renewed focus to the Pentagon."

While Tuberville supports Hegseth, some of his fellow Republican Senators were not so supportive of the controversial nominee after his visit on Capitol Hill.

Hegseth's lack of any command or executive experience combined with allegations of past sexual misconduct has put the nomination in jeopardy.

The Hill is reporting that President-elect Trump is weighing his options for Defense secretary. If the Hegseth nomination, like the Matt Gaetz nomination for AG, is ultimately withdrawn the Hill is reporting that Trump will potentially replace Hegseth with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R).

Hegseth has not publicly backed down from becoming the next Defense Secretary.

On Capitol Hill on Wednesday, Hegseth told CBS News that he does not intend to withdraw his name from consideration and that he spoke with President- elect Trump that morning and that Trump told him to keep going.

"I spoke to the president-elect this morning," Hegseth said, 'Keep going, keep fighting. I'm behind you all the way. Why would I back down? I've always been a fighter. I'm here for the fighters. This is personal and passionate for me."

Hegseth said on social media that reports of his sexual misconduct and alcohol abuse were nothing more than a concentrated smear campaign.

"The Left is afraid of disrupters and change agents," wrote Hegseth. "They are afraid of @realDonaldTrump-and me. So they smear w/ fake, anonymous sources & BS stories. They don't want truth. Our warriors never back down, & neither will I."

According to media reports, a woman has made a past allegation of sexual assault against Hegseth – then still employed as a Fox News host. To protect his job and reputation he and his lawyers agreed to an undisclosed cash settlement with the woman. Hegseth was never charged with anything or found guilty; but that past allegation has made his confirmation difficult – if not impossible – given that Republicans only hold 53 of the 100 Senate seats and no Democrats are believed to be likely to vote for Hegseth. If four Republican Senators are not comfortable with any of Trump's nominees they are likely not to be confirmed in the very partisan world that is the U.S. Senate.

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