Special Poll
Senate Democrat Suggests Republicans May Quietly Oppose Hegseth Nomination
Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) shared on Wednesday that several Republican colleagues have privately indicated they may be planning to oppose Pete Hegseth’s nomination to lead the Pentagon. However, they are “waiting for the right moment” to take a stand.
“I’ve spoken to five to ten Republicans who’ve told me they’re just waiting for the right moment to say ‘no’ to Pete Hegseth,” Blumenthal told reporters. “And for very good reasons.”
According to Blumenthal, many Republicans are hesitant to publicly oppose the nominee because of potential backlash from former President Trump. “No one wants to openly defy Donald Trump,” Blumenthal explained, suggesting that GOP lawmakers might instead express their concerns to Trump behind closed doors.
“The influence of the presidency, especially with this particular former president, and the fear of possible retaliation, makes stepping forward publicly a daunting prospect,” Blumenthal added. “But privately, I think many Republicans are ready to advise Trump to withdraw this nomination for the sake of wisdom and stability.”
Blumenthal also speculated that the controversy surrounding Hegseth could lead to a resolution soon. “I’d be surprised if we’re still discussing Hegseth’s nomination by the end of the week or even by Monday,” he said.
Hegseth has been under scrutiny following allegations of sexual assault from 2017, which he claims was consensual. Additional accusations include being intoxicated on the job and mismanaging funds while leading two veterans’ organizations. Despite the controversies, Hegseth has remained defiant, vowing to press forward with his nomination.
For now, it remains unclear whether Republican senators will ultimately take a stand or if Hegseth’s nomination will reach a tipping point.