Pete Hegseth says he had a “substantial conversation” with Joni Ernst while Trump was endorsing

President-elect Trump expressed public help for the raiders Pete Hegseth, nominee for secretary of defense Friday, and the candidate mentioned he had a “substantial dialog” with Sen. Joni Ernst.

Hegseth, a former Nationwide Guard officer, has been meeting with Republican senators this week to rally help as allegations of sexual misconduct and extreme ingesting have surfaced. He has denied any wrongdoing.

Ernst has not dedicated to voting for Hegseth.

“Pete appears to be effective now,” Trump informed Kristen Welker on “Meet the Press” Friday. “I imply, individuals have been just a little nervous. He is a younger man with an amazing monitor report, really. He went to Princeton, he went to Harvard. He was pupil at each, however he loves the navy. And I feel persons are beginning to see it, so we’ll work on his nomination together with many others.”

PETE HEGSETH SAYS ‘HE’LL BE HERE MORE IN THIS FIGHT’ AFTER MEETING WITH SENATORS

President-elect Trump publicly endorsed Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth on Friday, and the nominee mentioned he had a “substantial dialog” with Sen. Joni Ernst. (Allison Robbert-Pool/Getty Photographs; AP Picture/J. Scott Applewhite)

Trump confirmed that he nonetheless has confidence in Hegseth.

“He is a really sensible man,” Trump mentioned. “I do know him by Fox, however I’ve recognized him for a very long time. I imply, he is principally a navy man. I imply, each time I speak to him, he simply needs to speak in regards to the navy.”

Trump mentioned that whereas he had no assurances from senators that his nomination can be confirmed, he believed he would get it.

“I’ve had lots of senators name me saying it is nice,” Trump mentioned.

Requested by Welker in regards to the allegations of heavy ingesting, Trump mentioned, “Effectively, I’ve talked to individuals who know him very nicely they usually say he would not have an issue with alcohol.”

WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY ENTRADA ADDRESSES TRUMP’S SUPPORT FOR HEGSETH

Trump additionally endorsed Hegseth on the Reality Social on Friday, writing: “Pete Hegseth is doing nice. His help is powerful and deep. He was an ideal pupil – Princeton/Harvard educated – with a navy. He will likely be a unbelievable, high-energy Secretary of Protection, one who leads with charisma and ability, Pete is a WINNER, and nothing might be achieved to alter that.”

Senator Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, speaks to reporters after a closed-door lunch assembly with Senate Republicans on the U.S. Capitol on October 17, 2023 in Washington, DC (Drew Anger/Getty Photographs)

Hegseth wrote on his X account on Friday: “I simply had one other substantial dialog with Senator Ernst, I admire her honest dedication to protection coverage and sit up for assembly together with her once more subsequent week.”

Ernst additionally referred to as their assembly “constructive” on his personal, including that each plan to meet again subsequent week

“Pete Hegseth and I’ll proceed our constructive conversations as we transfer ahead collectively on this course of. We plan to fulfill once more subsequent week. On the very least, we agree that he deserves a possibility to set out his imaginative and prescient for our fighters in a good listening to,” he mentioned.

Vice President-elect JD Vance additionally informed reporters Friday that Hegseth has the total help of the incoming administration and won’t face a “mock listening to in entrance of the American media.”

Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of protection, walks by the Capitol basement Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024, in Washington. (AP Picture/Mark Schiefelbein)

TRUMP FLOATS DESANTIS AS POTENTIAL DEFENSE SECRETARY REPLACEMENT IF HEGSETH IS MISSING

“Pete Hegseth could have his listening to earlier than the Senate Armed Providers Committee, not a mock listening to earlier than the American media,” Vance informed reporters whereas in North Carolina. “We imagine Pete Hegseth is the suitable man to steer the Division of Protection. That is why Trump nominated him. We’re not abandoning that nomination.

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“I totally help Pete. I feel Pete will likely be confirmed, and we’re fully behind him. I’ve talked to Joni (Ernst). I’ve talked to a few of my colleagues about this nomination and about different nominations. I’m wondering if individuals actually permits the Senate nomination course of to work.We don’t decide necessary authorities officers primarily based on the nameless provide of American media.