Pete Hegseth Picks Up Endorsement From Key Senator

Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense, received a significant boost this week as Tennessee GOP Senator Bill Hagerty announced his support. The endorsement comes amid growing concerns from some Republicans regarding Hegseth’s qualifications for overseeing the Pentagon.

In an interview with CNN, Hagerty highlighted Hegseth’s appeal during a recent meeting with members of Congress.

“Well, I’d say this: I was just with Pete meeting with a large group of House members, and he had an ovation that was resounding,” Hagerty said. “I think that Pete is, as people get to know him again, as people get to see his deliberation, his deliberate stance on trying to repair the Pentagon, try to fix our recruiting crisis, our retention crisis, I think people are overwhelmingly supportive of him.”

Hagerty expressed optimism about Hegseth’s approval process, even as skepticism remains about his limited high-level defense experience.

“And I think that’s going to continue to move in the right direction,” Hagerty added. “I’ll admit him, is with Pete right now.”

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Amid mounting allegations of personal and professional misconduct, Hegseth has signaled no intention to withdraw his nomination. Speaking to reporters at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, the former Fox News contributor and Army officer revealed that Trump had encouraged him to persevere.

“I spoke to the President-elect this morning. He said keep going, keep fighting… Why would I back down? I’ve always been a fighter,” Hegseth stated. Asked whether he was considering stepping aside, he made it clear that he planned to continue meeting with senators to garner support.

Trump announced Hegseth’s nomination shortly after his decisive victory over Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election.

“I am honored to announce that I have nominated Pete Hegseth to serve in my Cabinet as The Secretary of Defense. Pete has spent his entire life as a Warrior for the Troops, and for the Country. Pete is tough, smart and a true believer in America First. With Pete at the helm, America’s enemies are on notice – Our Military will be Great Again, and America will Never Back Down,” Trump said in a statement.

The president-elect praised Hegseth’s credentials, noting his Ivy League education at Princeton University and Harvard, along with his military service in Guantanamo Bay, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Trump also highlighted Hegseth’s two Bronze Stars and Combat Infantryman’s Badge, as well as his advocacy work for veterans.

Trump added, “Pete’s recent book, The War on Warriors, spent nine weeks on the New York Times best-sellers list, including two weeks at NUMBER ONE. The book reveals the leftwing betrayal of our Warriors and how we must return our Military to meritocracy, lethality, accountability, and excellence. Pete has also led two Veterans Advocacy organizations, leading the fight for our Warriors, and our great Veterans. Nobody fights harder for the Troops, and Pete will be a courageous and patriotic champion of our ‘Peace through Strength’ policy.”

Hegseth has faced backlash for allegations of misconduct during his tenure leading a veterans' advocacy group. NBC News reported claims from several Fox News employees that he exhibited concerning behavior, including excessive drinking and appearing on air after allegedly being hungover.

“Hegseth…drank in ways that concerned his colleagues at Fox News,” the outlet reported, citing multiple sources. “Two of those people said that on more than a dozen occasions during Hegseth’s time as a co-host of ‘Fox & Friends Weekend,’ which began in 2017, they smelled alcohol on him before he went on air.”

Despite the allegations, other former and current colleagues have strongly disputed these claims, defending Hegseth’s character and professionalism.