Pete Hegseth holds another high-stakes meeting with a key Republican senator

President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, met Wednesday with another moderate Republican whose vote will be closely watched in his confirmation battle.

Hegseth spoke with Maine Sen. Susan Collins as he continues to make the rounds to shore up support amid allegations of sexual misconduct and other misconduct, which he denies.

Afterward, he described it as a “big meeting.”

“Office after office, having the opportunity to spend time with these senators who have invested their careers to ensure our warfighters get what they need, has been an incredible educational process,” Hegseth said. “And Senator Collins, like her colleagues before her, reiterated it.

“It was a wonderful conversation focused on what needs to be done to ensure the Pentagon is focused on war and lethality, and we look forward to staying in touch with her,” he added.

Hegseth added that he was “certainly not going to presume on the senator’s position” as he was peppered with questions from reporters.

Collins called it a “good, substantive discussion” for more than an hour on everything from the role of women in the military and sexual assault in the military to Ukraine and NATO.

“I asked pretty much every question I could,” Collins said. “I pressed him on his position on military matters as well as the allegations against him.”

Collins did not express support for Hegseth, instead saying she would wait for further review from Hegseth before deciding how to vote.

“Obviously, I’m still waiting for us to have an FBI background check, and one is underway in Mr. Hegseth’s case, and I’m waiting for the committee hearing before I make a final decision,” he said. -she declared.

Their meeting came on the heels of his Tuesday meeting with Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who is seen as another possible GOP swing vote. Murkowski said they had a “good exchange,” but did not indicate whether she was convinced to support him.

Hegseth is one of several Trump administration picks who visited the Capitol this week.

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, nominated to lead the Department of Homeland Security, met with various Republican senators on Tuesday.

Coming out of a meeting with Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, Noem was asked whether she would support Trump’s plan to mass deport migrants living in the United States without legal authorization. Deportations were a central promise of the 2024 Trump campaign.

“I’m going to enforce the president’s agenda,” Noem responded.

Noem also left the door open to a deal with Democrats to protect “Dreamers,” or migrants brought to the United States illegally as young children. Trump floated the idea during an interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” despite his attempts to undermine the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program during his first administration.

“You know, I appreciate the president’s word on this issue, and I know he wants our laws upheld, so I’m going to work with him to make his vision a reality,” Noem said.

Noem was back for meetings Wednesday, including one with Democratic Sen. Gary Peters. Noem said she hoped for bipartisan support in her bid for confirmation.

Kash Patel, Trump’s pick for FBI director, and Tulsi Gabbard, his pick for director of national intelligence, were also seen in the halls of the Hart Senate Office Building.

For Patel to fill this role, current FBI Director Christopher Wray would have to resign or be fired.

Several Republican senators said this week they would accept Wray being expelled or stepping down.

“I like Director Wray but I think it’s time for a fresh start at the FBI,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham.

“Obviously Director Wray would be fired. That’s obvious,” said Sen. Markwayne Mullin.