'This is big': MSNBC reports Hegseth vote in doubt after major GOP defection
According to NBC's Julie Tsirkin, the nomination of Fox News personality Pete Hegseth to be Donald Trump's secretary of defense is teetering after a senior Republican told reporters the party may need Vice President J.D. Vance's vote as a tiebreaker.
Reporting on MSNBC on Thursday afternoon Tsirkin stated that Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS), who took the lead in getting the embattled Hegseth through a Senate Armed Forces Committee hearing despite allegations of sexual assault and public drunkenness, the NBC correspondent said "Senator Roger Wicker told my colleague Frank Thorp earlier today that if he were J.D Vance, he would stick around for a potential tie-breaking vote tomorrow night."
Calling the situation "big," she then reported that Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) has just released a statement saying she will not support the nominee.
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According to Murkowski, "Since Mr. Hegseth’s nomination last November, I have met with him and carefully reviewed his writings, various reports, and other pertinent materials. I closely followed his hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee and gathered substantial feedback from organizations, veterans, and Alaskans. After thorough evaluation, I must conclude that I cannot in good conscience support his nomination for Secretary of Defense. I did not make this decision lightly; I take my constitutional responsibility to provide advice and consent with the utmost seriousness."
She added, "While the allegations of sexual assault and excessive drinking do nothing to quiet my concerns, the past behaviors Mr. Hegseth has admitted to, including infidelity on multiple occasions, demonstrate a lack of judgment that is unbecoming of someone who would lead our armed forces. These behaviors starkly contrast the values and discipline expected of servicemembers. Men and women in uniform are held accountable for such actions, and they deserve leaders who uphold these same standards."
The New York Times is reporting Hegseth is facing a test vote on Thursday.
You can watch Tsirkin's report below or at the link.
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