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Pete Hegsethnominated by US President-elect Donald Trump to head the Pentagon, assured this Wednesday that does not intend to withdraw his candidacy despite mounting allegations of his inappropriate behavior towards women and alleged alcohol abuse, which could make his Senate confirmation difficult.

In statements to the press, Hegseth insisted that he would not resign and He stressed that Trump continues to support him, Although privately the president-elect will consider other names to replace him, including the governor of Florida and a former rival in the Republican primary, Ron DeSantis According to local media.

“I spoke to the President this morning; supports me completely. “We’re not going anywhere.” Hegseth, who spent the day in Washington meeting with Republican senators, said bluntly that as of Jan. 3, they will control the Upper House and therefore have the final say in confirming members of Trump’s Cabinet.

Hegseth also published an opinion column on Wednesday in Wall Street Journal titled “I’ve Faced Fire Before.” I won’t back down (“I’ve faced fire before. I won’t give up.”) in which he spoke about his experiences as a veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and made it clear that he intends to stay in the race until the end.

During his visit to the Capitol Hegseth met with Republican Sen. Joni Ernst. also a military veteran and one of the main initiators of reforms to combat sexual violence in the Armed Forces. It is through his profile that his voice can be the key to the approval process.

After the meeting, Ernst posted a short message on X thanking Hegseth for his service to the country and He noted that they had a “frank and comprehensive conversation.” although he declined to say whether he would support his candidacy.

Although No Republican senator publicly disagreed with Hegseth. Privately, some have expressed doubt about his ability to secure the votes needed for confirmation.

Hegseth’s appointment He raised eyebrows in Washington from the start as a former host Fox News and a member of the Army National Guard with no experience leading a Pentagon-sized department with more than 26,000 employees, both civilian and military.

Moreover, some of his ideas caused controversy, e.g. their opposition to allowing women to take up fighting positions.

Sexual violence, alcohol and waste

However, his candidacy was most complicated by accusations about his personal life. In recent weeks Sexual assault charge in 2017 which Hegseth denies, although he allegedly reached a financial agreement with his complainant to keep the matter secret.

Also, last weekend New Yorker released details of a 2015 report about his time leading a veterans support organization in which He was accused of inappropriate treatment of women. drinking alcohol while working and poor financial management.

Faced with these accusations, Hegseth’s mother Penelope Hegseth came to his defense in an interview with the publication Fox News on Wednesday.

He admitted that during his 2018 divorce he sent an email to his son accusing him of abusing women, but He assured that he wrote it “under deep emotion.” and that two hours later he sent him an email apologizing. “Seven years after writing that letter, Pete is a completely different person,” he said.

Currently, Trump’s team has shown no public signs of considering replacing Hegseth, but it means like Wall Street Journal And Washington Post reported that among the possible candidates are Elbridge Colbyplayed a key role in China strategy during Trump’s first term (2017-2021), and Ron DeSantis.

The possibility of Hegseth being replaced by DeSantis exists. caused a particular resonance in Washington and Tallahassee. given the confrontation between the two during the Republican primaries.

However, after leaving the presidential race, DeSantis supported Trump and achieved improve your relationship with the president-elect.

(EFE)