Mary Margaret Olihan

Now, Hegseth has been one of Trump's most disputed choices, facing an avalanche of allegations from Democrats and the media about sexual misconduct and excessive drinking, both of which he's denied. Some on the right, like TPUSA's Charlie Kirk, have floated the possibility of backing a primary challenger against Ernst for not supporting Hegseth.

Now, Hegseth has been one of Trump's most disputed choices, facing an avalanche of allegations from Democrats and the media about sexual misconduct and excessive drinking, both of which he's denied. Some on the right, like TPUSA's Charlie Kirk, have floated the possibility of backing a primary challenger against Ernst for not supporting Hegseth.

That may have worked because on Monday, Ernst met with Hegseth for the second time and said she had a quote-unquote encouraging conversation with him. She said, and I'm quoting again, as I support Pete through this process, I look forward to a fair hearing based on truth, not anonymous sources.

That may have worked because on Monday, Ernst met with Hegseth for the second time and said she had a quote-unquote encouraging conversation with him. She said, and I'm quoting again, as I support Pete through this process, I look forward to a fair hearing based on truth, not anonymous sources.

Senate sources tell me that it's widely believed that Ernst was either tasked by Senate leadership to tank Hegseth's nomination or she sought to do it of her own accord, hoping she'd be his replacement if he were to fail.

Senate sources tell me that it's widely believed that Ernst was either tasked by Senate leadership to tank Hegseth's nomination or she sought to do it of her own accord, hoping she'd be his replacement if he were to fail.

One source told me, and I'm quoting, it appears that she's trying to walk back her opposition to Hegseth by demanding an audit of the Pentagon, something Hegseth was already on board with before even meeting her. That source also suggested that people are still doubtful of Ernst's sincerity to get Hegseth across the finish line. Now, what about Lindsey Graham?

One source told me, and I'm quoting, it appears that she's trying to walk back her opposition to Hegseth by demanding an audit of the Pentagon, something Hegseth was already on board with before even meeting her. That source also suggested that people are still doubtful of Ernst's sincerity to get Hegseth across the finish line. Now, what about Lindsey Graham?

Well, Lindsey Graham also expressed new support for Pete on Monday. And the fact that these two came around this week is yet another sign of Trump's consolidated influence over the Republican Party. I spoke to Senator Tommy Tuberville about this whole process, and he tells me that he views Trump's nominees as selected by the American people who voted for Trump.

Well, Lindsey Graham also expressed new support for Pete on Monday. And the fact that these two came around this week is yet another sign of Trump's consolidated influence over the Republican Party. I spoke to Senator Tommy Tuberville about this whole process, and he tells me that he views Trump's nominees as selected by the American people who voted for Trump.

Actually, Democrats were much more unified when it came to pushing through Biden's nominees. Here's Tuberville on that.

Actually, Democrats were much more unified when it came to pushing through Biden's nominees. Here's Tuberville on that.

But some Republican senators are pushing back on the idea that they should support Trump nominees no matter what. That includes Senator Tom Tillis of North Carolina and Senator John Cornyn of Texas. Tillis is up for reelection in 2026, and he says he should be asking tough questions.

But some Republican senators are pushing back on the idea that they should support Trump nominees no matter what. That includes Senator Tom Tillis of North Carolina and Senator John Cornyn of Texas. Tillis is up for reelection in 2026, and he says he should be asking tough questions.

And Cornyn, who had reservations about Matt Gaetz and currently isn't sold on Tulsi Gabbard, suggested he's more concerned about being loyal to the Constitution than to Trump.

And Cornyn, who had reservations about Matt Gaetz and currently isn't sold on Tulsi Gabbard, suggested he's more concerned about being loyal to the Constitution than to Trump.

These kinds of comments triggered frustration among Trump's circle, who point out that some of the GOP senators on the fence about Trump's nominees actually voted to confirm Biden's most controversial picks, including Attorney General Merrick Garland, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, and Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas. In fact, Lloyd Austin was confirmed 93 to 2.

These kinds of comments triggered frustration among Trump's circle, who point out that some of the GOP senators on the fence about Trump's nominees actually voted to confirm Biden's most controversial picks, including Attorney General Merrick Garland, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, and Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas. In fact, Lloyd Austin was confirmed 93 to 2.

Now, what's Trump himself saying about all this? Well, Trump has surprisingly largely stayed out of it. He'll, of course, announce the nominees in Truth Social posts, praise their backgrounds and tout their achievements. And he's been sending his nominees to meet with Republican senators in the weeks leading up to possible confirmation hearings.

Now, what's Trump himself saying about all this? Well, Trump has surprisingly largely stayed out of it. He'll, of course, announce the nominees in Truth Social posts, praise their backgrounds and tout their achievements. And he's been sending his nominees to meet with Republican senators in the weeks leading up to possible confirmation hearings.