• Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Money Rise Today – Investing and Stock News
  • Investing
  • Stock
Editor's Pick

Moderate Republican Murkowski won’t back Trump pick Hegseth for defense secretary

by January 23, 2025
written by January 23, 2025

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, said on Thursday she can’t support Pete Hegseth to be President Donald Trump’s secretary of Defense. 

‘Given the global security environment we’re operating in, it is critical that we confirm a Secretary of Defense, however, I regret that I am unable to support Mr. Hegseth,’ she concluded in a lengthy statement posted to X. 

In her reasoning, Murkowski cited infidelity, ‘allegations of sexual assault and excessive drinking’ and Hegseth’s previous comments on women serving in the military. 

The behaviors that he has admitted to alone, she said, show ‘a lack of judgment that is unbecoming of someone who would lead our armed forces.’

While Hegseth has admitted to past infidelity, he has denied claims of excessive drinking and sexual assault. 

The Alaska Republican noted that she met with Hegseth ‘and carefully reviewed his writings, various reports, and other pertinent materials.’ 

Further, Murkowski said she ‘closely followed his hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee and gathered substantial feedback from organizations, veterans, and Alaskans.’

However, ‘After thorough evaluation, I must conclude that I cannot in good conscience support his nomination for Secretary of Defense,’ she said. 

Other GOP senators who have yet to take a public position on Hegseth include Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and former GOP Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.

Collins told reporters on Thursday, ‘I’ll be releasing a statement shortly.’ 

Hegseth will need a simple majority of the Senate to vote in his favor in order to be confirmed. With the Republicans’ 53-seat majority, he can only afford to lose a handful of the conference. If there is a tie, newly sworn in Vice President JD Vance will be needed to cast the tie-breaking vote. 

The move to oppose Hegseth’s confirmation was not unexpected from Murkowski, who has earned a reputation for occasionally bucking her party. 

Fox News was recently told it was possible Hegseth’s confirmation would need Vance’s tie-breaking vote.In particular, Fox News was told to watch McConnell, Collins and Murkowski on the pivotal confirmation vote. 

If McConnell and Collins join Murkowski in voting nay, Vance will need to come to the Capitol to break the tie and confirm Hegseth as Defense Secretary.

 No Vice President had ever broken a tie to confirm a cabinet Secretary until former Vice President Pence did so to confirm Betsy DeVos as Education Secretary on February 7, 2017. Pence also broke ties to confirm former Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KS) as ambassador for religious freedom in 2018. He also broke a tie to confirm current Budget Director nominee Russ Vought as Deputy Budget Director in 2018.

Over the last few days, Hegseth’s nomination has faced new pressure with the revelation of an affidavit from his former sister-in-law that alleged he made his ex-wife Samantha Hegseth fear for her safety. Additionally, a source familiar told Fox News that Samantha had provided a new statement to the FBI, which alleged ‘Pete Hegseth has had and continues to have a problem with alcohol abuse.’

Hegseth maintained his denial of any allegations of alcohol, physical or sexual abuse. 

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
0 comment
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

previous post
Benjamin Netanyahu comes to defense of Elon Musk: ‘falsely smeared’
next post
Trump expected to pardon pro-life activists convicted under FACE Act

related articles

Trump denounces court’s ‘political’ tariff decision, calls on...

May 30, 2025

President Trump teases ‘last day, but not really’...

May 30, 2025

State Dept says DOGE’s changes will be permanent...

May 30, 2025

Jill Biden should have to answer for ‘cover...

May 29, 2025

DOGE staffing shakeup as Elon Musk hangs up...

May 29, 2025

Hawley urges DOJ probe of Chinese trucking company

May 29, 2025

Less than half of DOGE-terminated contracts can be...

May 29, 2025

Flashback: Top five wildest moments from Elon Musk’s...

May 29, 2025

Sen Ron Johnson suggests he may not run...

May 29, 2025

Justice Department tells American Bar Association it will...

May 29, 2025
Enter Your Information Below To Receive Free Trading Ideas, Latest News, And Articles.


Your information is secure and your privacy is protected. By opting in you agree to receive emails from us. Remember that you can opt-out any time, we hate spam too!

Latest News

  • Trump HHS nominee RFK Jr returns to Capitol Hill for round 2 after heated first day of hearings

    January 30, 2025
  • Trump’s UN ambassador nominee Elise Stefanik says he sees ‘great promise’ in the United Nations

    January 20, 2025
  • SafeMoon and Litecoin: Litecoin is still in a bearish trend

    August 22, 2024
  • More than half a million law enforcement personnel back Patel as FBI director

    February 11, 2025
  • Dem support likely to push Trump’s pro-union labor pick past key vote

    February 27, 2025

Popular Posts

  • 1

    Secret Service admits leaning on ‘state and local partners’ after claim it ignored Trump team’s past requests

    July 21, 2024
  • 2

    Elon and Vivek should tackle US funding for this boondoogle organization and score a multimillion dollar win

    December 4, 2024
  • 3

    Forex Profit Calculator: Maximize Your Trading Potential

    July 10, 2024
  • 4

    Five more House Democrats call on Biden to drop out, third US senator

    July 19, 2024
  • 5

    Biden calls to ‘lower the temperature’ then bashes Trump in NAACP speech

    July 17, 2024

Categories

  • Economy (829)
  • Editor's Pick (4,723)
  • Investing (624)
  • Stock (773)

Latest Posts

  • Household savings are thinning. Here’s how to put money back in your pocket.

    July 22, 2024
  • Goldman Sachs upgrades nCino to Buy with $42 price target: Should you invest?

    August 14, 2024
  • FTC drops Biden-era suit accusing Pepsi of price discrimination

    May 23, 2025

Recent Posts

  • Sen. Josh Hawley ‘delighted’ to back Sen. John Cornyn for Senate Majority Leader

    November 9, 2024
  • Former Romney adviser bankrolled by left-wing groups ripped for leading anti-DOGE charge: ‘Paid puppet’

    April 1, 2025
  • Israeli official warns ‘everything is on the table’ as IDF prepares response to Iranian missile attack

    October 6, 2024

Editor’s Pick

  • USAID workers send message to Trump on boxes while leaving office for last time

    February 22, 2025
  • Republicans seek to block the reappointment of UN official accused of antisemitism

    April 2, 2025
  • What Are Prop Firms, And How Does Prop Trading Work?

    September 23, 2024
  • About us
  • Contacts
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Disclaimer: moneyrisetoday.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

Copyright © 2025 moneyrisetoday.com | All Rights Reserved

Money Rise Today – Investing and Stock News
  • Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Money Rise Today – Investing and Stock News
  • Investing
  • Stock