Senator Graham Makes Statement On Trump Picks
In a Sunday appearance on NBC’s Meet The Press, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) offered strong endorsements for two of President-elect Donald Trump’s key nominees: Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense and Trump’s yet-to-be-named pick for FBI Director.
Graham’s support signaled his confidence in Trump’s Cabinet selections and his readiness to defend nominees against what he described as politically motivated attacks.
Graham didn’t mince words when it came to Hegseth, a former Army National Guard officer and Fox News contributor who has faced media scrutiny over alleged past controversies. Graham dismissed the claims as baseless, calling them “anonymous allegations” and emphasizing that Hegseth had personally addressed the issues in a way Graham found convincing.
“He’s given me his side of the story. It makes sense to me. I believe him,” Graham said during the interview. “Unless somebody is willing to come forward, I think he’s going to get through.”
And that was barely a love tap https://t.co/ChYkdAq8gs
— Jack Poso (@JackPosobiec) December 15, 2024
Graham drew a parallel between Hegseth’s situation and the contentious confirmation hearings of Justice Brett Kavanaugh in 2018, where unsubstantiated allegations threatened to derail Kavanaugh’s nomination.
“We’re not going to let that happen to Pete,” Graham declared. “You’re not going to destroy his nomination based on anonymous sources. People have to come forward and make credible allegations, and we’ll see if they do.”
Although Graham stopped short of naming Trump’s nominee for FBI Director, his remarks reflected a broader confidence in Trump’s ability to select leaders who align with his administration’s goals.
This role, crucial for ensuring the nation’s security and overseeing critical investigations, is expected to be a cornerstone of Trump’s second-term agenda. Graham's comments signal a readiness to support the nominee and defend the administration’s choices against partisan opposition.
Graham’s statements come as Senate Republicans prepare for what could be contentious confirmation battles in the weeks ahead. With Trump signaling his intent to shake up Washington and appoint loyalists to key roles, Graham’s vocal support underscores a strategy to preemptively counter resistance from Democrats and the media.