Lindsey Graham Sees Improved Prospects for Pete Hegseth’s Confirmation
Senator Lindsey Graham expressed a more optimistic outlook on Pete Hegseth’s chances of being confirmed as defense secretary in the administration of President-elect Donald Trump. Graham remarked that Hegseth is “better off this week than he was last week,” following initial concerns over potential challenges in the confirmation process.
Graham highlighted that the accusations against Hegseth, which include allegations of mismanaging funds and non-consensual behavior, remain anonymous. “The accusations are anonymous. The police report I’ve read — right now, he’s in pretty good shape. I think he’s very smart,” Graham stated.
He added, “If these accusations are presented in a credible manner that allows Pete to rebut them, I’ll listen. For now, though, his position has improved significantly compared to last week.”
The comments were made after Graham’s meeting with Trump’s nominee for FBI director, Kash Patel. The South Carolina senator described the meeting as “good” and acknowledged that he would accept the possibility of current FBI Director Christopher Wray being replaced, despite Wray having three years remaining in his term.
“It’s pretty clear that President-elect Trump wants a new FBI director,” said Graham. “While I personally like Director Wray, I believe it’s time for a fresh start at the FBI. Many conservatives feel the bureau has been involved in political matters, which must come to an end.”
Additionally, Graham expressed his intention to arrange another meeting with Tulsi Gabbard, Trump’s nominee for director of national intelligence, to further discuss policy issues related to Syria. The two had previously met the evening before.
GOP Senators Voice Support for Pete Hegseth Amid Defense Secretary Confirmation Battle
In the midst of a challenging confirmation process, former President Donald Trump’s transition team has released a video showcasing support for Pete Hegseth, his pick for Secretary of Defense. The video highlights endorsements from key Republican senators, underscoring Hegseth’s qualifications and leadership potential.
The video features GOP Senators Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma, Tommy Tuberville of Alabama, and Rick Scott of Florida, who praised Hegseth’s military background and vision for the Department of Defense.
Markwayne Mullin Highlights Military Credentials
Senator Mullin emphasized Hegseth’s extensive military experience, stating, “He’s perfect. He’s a decorated combat veteran with two Bronze Stars, 20 years of service, and a retired major. He’s also a civilian, which brings a balanced perspective to leadership in the Department of Defense.”
Tuberville Calls for Strong Leadership
Senator Tuberville pointed to Hegseth as the leader needed to address what he sees as cultural and operational challenges in the military. “We need a drill sergeant in the military. We need someone to straighten things out, remove the focus on ‘woke’ policies, and prioritize the core mission,” Tuberville said.
Rick Scott Praises Hegseth’s Priorities
After a meeting with Hegseth, Senator Rick Scott commended his approach, saying, “Pete Hegseth will focus on taking care of our warfighters, ensuring they have the equipment they need and aren’t put in harm’s way unnecessarily. He’s not in favor of endless wars or unplanned conflicts. I believe he’ll excel in this role.”
Scott also expressed his commitment to supporting Hegseth’s confirmation, adding, “I’ll do everything I can to ensure he becomes the Secretary of Defense.”
White House Confirms Communication Between Biden and Trump Teams Amid Middle East Crisis
The White House has confirmed that President Joe Biden’s national security team is actively communicating with key members of President-elect Donald Trump’s national security team as tensions escalate in the Middle East, according to National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby.
“These discussions are ongoing, and I fully expect Jake Sullivan and other senior officials in the National Security Council to continue keeping the incoming team informed as needed,” Kirby stated during a press briefing on Tuesday.
Trump Advocates Non-Interventionist Approach
President-elect Trump has called for a cautious approach to the unfolding crisis, advising that the United States avoid direct involvement. Prior to the rapid developments in Damascus, Trump urged the U.S. to “let the situation play out.”
Following the reported fall of the Assad regime, Trump shared his perspective on the implications for Russia, a major supporter of Assad. “Assad is gone. He has fled his country. Russia, under Vladimir Putin, has lost interest in Syria due to its focus on Ukraine,” Trump wrote in a social media post, adding that this could be a pivotal moment for Russian leadership.
Trump’s Meeting with Ukraine’s Zelensky
The remarks came shortly after Trump met with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky during a visit to Paris. With just over a month until his inauguration, Trump’s stance on these developments is being closely observed by U.S. allies and international stakeholders.
Biden Maintains Independent Foreign Policy Agenda
Despite the coordination between the two teams, Kirby clarified that President Biden is continuing to define his own foreign policy strategy. Kirby added that there have been no updates regarding direct communication between Biden and Trump on national security matters.
“We are in regular contact with the individuals President-elect Trump has identified as his key national security team members,” Kirby noted
He also highlighted ongoing conversations between Sullivan and Congressman Waltz as part of the coordination efforts.
Kash Patel Remains Silent on Watchdog Report Revealing Trump DOJ’s Seizure of His Phone Records
Kash Patel, the former top aide to Donald Trump and his pick to lead the FBI, declined to address questions regarding a new watchdog report. The report reveals that during Trump’s first term, the Department of Justice secretly obtained Patel’s phone records as part of investigations.
The Justice Department’s actions also included the secret acquisition of phone records from two members of Congress and 43 staffers.
When asked about whether he believes the January 6 rioters should receive pardons or if members of the January 6 committee should face investigations or imprisonment, Patel refused to comment.
Biden Aims to Reshape Economic Legacy Ahead of Potential Trump Administration
As President Joe Biden nears the end of his term, he is working to reshape the narrative of his economic legacy. With just weeks left in office, Biden is addressing the challenges of strong demand, supply chain disruptions, and high government spending, all of which contributed to rising living costs not seen since the 1980s.
In the months leading up to the election, the White House briefly paused its positive messages about the economy, acknowledging public concerns about inflation. There was a recognition that the Biden-Harris administration risked appearing disconnected from voters’ frustrations over rising prices.
“It was just such a political burden,” a senior administration official shares.
Privately, Biden has expressed frustration that his achievements in other economic areas were overshadowed by inflation concerns. Despite this, the administration has made efforts to emphasize key investments in infrastructure, small businesses, and manufacturing, all of which have contributed to job growth and economic expansion that exceeded expectations. The White House, with the president’s support, has even countered economists who predicted a recession that never came to pass.
Biden’s core belief, according to a longtime aide, is that he’s been “a damn good president” who will be remembered favorably by history, even if his popularity is currently low. His upcoming speech on his economic legacy is part of a broader effort to highlight the successes of his presidency as it draws to a close.
After announcing his reelection campaign, Biden’s team launched a nationwide tour promoting “Bidenomics” in an effort to reshape public opinion. While some officials believe the message will resonate as inflation subsides, they also acknowledge that deep partisan divides may have cemented negative views of his economic policies.
Trump’s campaign has seized on the term “Bidenomics,” spending millions on ads that highlight Vice President Kamala Harris’s statement that “Bidenomics is working.”
Ultimately, Americans expressed negative views of the economy in exit polls, with 46% of voters trusting Harris to lead the economy, compared to 53% for Trump. However, Biden and his team are not accepting these perceptions.
“We are handing off the strongest economy in history to the next administration,” said Biden’s acting Labor Secretary Julie Su.
Biden Optimistic About Strong Economy for Trump Administration, Hopes for Continued Growth
President Joe Biden emphasized his administration’s economic achievements on Tuesday, stating that President-elect Donald Trump will inherit a strong economy. He expressed his “profound hope” that Trump will maintain and build upon the progress made.
Speaking at the Brookings Institution, Biden noted, “Most economists agree that the new administration will inherit a fairly strong economy – at least for now – an economy undergoing fundamental transformation, which has laid a stronger foundation for sustainable, broad-based, and highly productive growth.”
Biden continued, “It is my profound hope that the new administration will preserve and build on this progress.”
Highlighting the bipartisan nature of economic advancement, Biden remarked, “This progress is neither red nor blue, and America’s progress is everyone’s progress.”
However, the president acknowledged that the economic growth experienced in recent years has not been without challenges. “The entire world faced a spike in inflation due to disruptions from the pandemic and Putin’s war in Ukraine,” Biden said, recognizing the economic concerns that many Americans experienced, which played a role in Trump’s election victory this year.
GOP Senators Share Their Views on Trump’s Cabinet Picks Hegseth and Patel During Capitol Hill Meetings
GOP Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma has expressed his support for Kash Patel as FBI director after meeting with him on Capitol Hill. Mullin stated that he is fully comfortable voting for Patel, explaining that he has had the opportunity to speak with him personally. “I was comfortable beforehand,” said Mullin. “I’ve had the privilege of knowing Kash, and we’ve sat down and talked.”
Mullin also praised Pete Hegseth, Trump’s pick for defense secretary, noting that he is doing a “phenomenal job” in his meetings with senators. Mullin emphasized that there is strong Republican backing for all of Trump’s current cabinet nominations. “There’s not one single Republican that’s opposed any of these nominations that are out there right now,” Mullin added.
When asked about concerns over Trump potentially expending too much political capital on controversial nominees, Mullin downplayed the concern, asserting that all of Trump’s picks are in good shape and that the nomination process is proceeding smoothly.
Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, also defended Trump’s cabinet choices, stating that he has no concerns about the nominees. “No, I don’t have concerns,” said Tillis, adding that he voted for every nomination that was ultimately confirmed during President Trump’s first term.
Senator John Cornyn of Texas, who also serves on the Senate Judiciary Committee, acknowledged that the confirmation process for the nominees is ongoing. “We haven’t had a single hearing or completed an FBI background check yet,” said Cornyn, noting that while the process may be frustrating to some, it is important to see it through to make informed decisions.
Cornyn is scheduled to meet with Pete Hegseth for further discussions. “We’re going to have a good conversation. I’ve known Pete for probably 10 or 12 years, and I’m interested to ask him the same questions many others are asking,” Cornyn said.