Trump Offers Confidence in Hegseth, Says He Can Win Confirmation

President-elect Donald Trump said he still had confidence that Pete Hegseth, his embattled choice for Defense secretary, could secure confirmation in the US Senate and that his team would be working to advance the nomination.

“Yes, I do. I really do,” Trump responded in an interview with NBC News’ Meet the Press taped on Friday when asked directly if he had confidence in his pick. He praised Hegseth as a “very smart guy” and “basically a military guy.”

Pete Hegseth at Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, in November.

Photographer: Al Drago/Bloomberg

Trump said he had not received assurances from senators that Hegseth would be confirmed but added “I think he will.” ...