Pete Hegseth Was Toast. The MAGA Swarm Came to His Rescue.
Dec 16, 2024
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Karoun Demirjian is a Congressional reporter for The New York Times with a focus on national security, while Jonathan Swan covers politics and Trump’s campaigns. They delve into the tense saga of Pete Hegseth’s nomination for Secretary of Defense, exploring Senator Joni Ernst's resistance fueled by concerns over military sexual assault and political ramifications. The duo discusses how Trump's allies mounted a campaign to diminish Ernst's skepticism, illustrating the high-stakes machinations and pressures within the GOP as they navigate internal disagreements.
Pete Hegseth's nomination for Secretary of Defense faced scrutiny primarily due to past allegations, notably impacting Senator Joni Ernst's support.
Intense pressure tactics from Trump's allies, including threats of political retribution, ultimately coerced Senator Ernst into supporting Hegseth's nomination.
Deep dives
Controversy Surrounding Pete Hegseth's Nomination
Pete Hegseth's nomination as Secretary of Defense faced significant scrutiny due to numerous allegations from his past, including sexual assault and professional misconduct. His controversial background raised alarms among senators, particularly Joni Ernst, whose own history as a female combat veteran conflicted with Hegseth's views and allegations. As a result, several Republican senators began expressing discomfort with supporting Hegseth, fearing potential backlash during a time when their majority was narrow. The situation was dire for the Trump administration as losing Ernst's vote could jeopardize Hegseth's confirmation.
Joni Ernst's Dilemma
Senator Joni Ernst's career centered around addressing issues of military sexual assault, making her hesitance to support Hegseth particularly telling. Initially ambiguous about her support for Hegseth, she later faced intense pressure from both party leadership and Trump’s supporters, who viewed her resistance as a challenge to the President. Ernst had previously taken strong stances against nominees accused of similar misconduct and had even joined efforts to reform how the military handles sexual assault cases. This conflict placed her in a precarious position, further complicating the dynamics as the Trump administration attempted to solidify Hegseth's nomination.
The Pressure Campaign on Ernst
Following her refusal to fully endorse Hegseth, Ernst became the target of a coordinated pressure campaign by Trump allies, including notable figures in the MAGA movement. This included public threats of primary challenges and digital ad campaigns aimed at undermining her standing among voters in Iowa. The campaign not only pressured her politically but also instilled fear about the potential fallout from the Trump base, which had shown readiness to mobilize against dissenters. Ultimately, this immense pressure influenced Ernst's eventual statement of support for Hegseth, illustrating the lengths to which Trump's team would go to ensure loyalty among Republican senators.
Over the past few weeks, the resistance of a single Republican senator, Joni Ernst of Iowa, had threatened to derail Donald J. Trump’s choice of Pete Hegseth to run the Department of Defense.
Karoun Demirjian, who covers Congress for The Times, and Jonathan Swan, who covers politics, discuss how Mr. Trump and his allies ensured that Ms. Ernst’s resistance went away.
Guest:
Karoun Demirjian, who covers Congress for The New York Times, with a focus on national security.
Jonathan Swan, a Times reporter covering politics and Donald J. Trump’s presidential campaign.
Background reading:
Mr. Trump became convinced that letting Mr. Hegseth fail would set off a feeding frenzy among senators.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
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