The Hill: Senate GOP sees Hegseth nomination as likely doomed
The Hill - Senate GOP sees Hegseth nomination as likely doomed
by Alexander Bolton - 12/05/24 5:36 PM ET
Pete Hegseths nomination to serve as secretary of Defense appears doomed despite his fiery declaration that hes not going anywhere, Republicans on Capitol Hill told The Hill on Thursday.
I think most people do not expect Hegseth to make it, said one Republican senator. Theres seven or eight [Republican] votes against him. Its a matter of time.
Its on the death watch, the senator added.
GOP senators say that President-elect Trump is letting Hegseth twist in the wind and even appeared to undermine his nomination by floating Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) as a possible replacement nominee to head the Pentagon.
Republican senators say that Trump isnt making calls to GOP senators to save Hegseths floundering nomination and instead is throwing more ballast onto a sinking ship by floating DeSantis as a replacement.
DeSantis, a Navy judge advocate general who is a member of the U.S. Navy Reserve, would easily win confirmation, the GOP source said.
Where is all of this stuff about DeSantis coming from? Thats all coming out of Mar-a-Lago, the first GOP senator who spoke to The Hill said.
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