• 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

Inside Trump’s ultimatum that forced Netanyahu to the...

October 23, 2025

Vance rebukes Israel on ‘very stupid’ vote to...

October 23, 2025

Top Republican slams Katherine Clark for admitting suffering...

October 23, 2025

Vance calls Psaki comments about wife Usha ‘disgraceful’

October 23, 2025

Trump yet to endorse in VA governor’s race...

October 23, 2025

DAVID MARCUS: Trump’s ballroom is no vanity project,...

October 23, 2025

Examining the next threat from Communist China: Our...

October 23, 2025

Sparks fly as Cuomo, Mamdani tear into each...

October 23, 2025

Trump meets NATO’s Rutte amid canceled Putin meeting:...

October 22, 2025

Schumer blocks 12th GOP bid to reopen government...

October 22, 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

  • First on Fox: VP Vance to tout Trump’s historic first month in speech to MAGA faithful

    February 20, 2025
  • Trump to rename Persian Gulf the Arabian Gulf ahead of US-Iran nuclear talks, Middle East trip: report

    May 7, 2025
  • House Freedom Caucus draws battle lines on reconciliation fight after presenting plan to Trump

    January 16, 2025
  • The Dow Jones Forecast: Strong Gains in The Stock Market

    July 16, 2024
  • Asian stocks jump after US Fed’s decision: Kospi up 0.5%

    March 20, 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

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

    July 19, 2024
  • 3

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

    December 4, 2024
  • 4

    Forex Profit Calculator: Maximize Your Trading Potential

    July 10, 2024
  • 5

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

    July 17, 2024

Categories

  • Economy (829)
  • Editor's Pick (6,503)
  • Investing (634)
  • Stock (941)

Latest Posts

  • Dems not budging on government shutdown demands ahead of high-stakes Trump meeting, Jeffries suggests

    September 29, 2025
  • SEC charges Carl Icahn with hiding billions of dollars worth of stock pledges

    August 20, 2024
  • Conservatives rally around Hegseth after he turns tables on Hillary Clinton with Russia ‘reset’ photo

    March 3, 2025

Recent Posts

  • ‘Stunning and brave’: Dem senator mocked after hyping all-nighter stunt in protest of Trump nominee

    February 7, 2025
  • Trump strikes back with retaliatory measures against Colombia for rejecting deportation flights

    January 26, 2025
  • Trump amends executive order raising China tariffs to 20% over ‘failure to address’ fentanyl crisis

    March 4, 2025

Editor’s Pick

  • Will Vance remark about US bailing on Ukraine encourage Putin to sink nascent peace talks?

    May 21, 2025
  • ‘Serious loophole’: GOP widens probe into ActBlue, Dem fundraising platform helping Harris raise millions

    August 5, 2024
  • Harris becomes betting market favorite for first time after Walz pick

    August 8, 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