December 5, 2024: Pete Hegseth’s last stand

The Playbook Podcast

POLITICO

Government, News, Daily News, Politics

3.9 • 700 Ratings

🗓️ 5 December 2024

⏱️ 10 minutes

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Summary

With his nomination for Defense secretary teetering on the brink, Pete Hegseth will soon learn whether his 11th-hour offensive yesterday to save his nomination has succeeded. As Republican senators — notably including combat veteran Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) — express concerns about some of Hegseth’s views as well as the allegations of sexual misconduct and alcohol abuse, which he has denied, the nominee has remained resolute: “We’re not going anywhere,” he told Hill reporters yesterday. But it might not entirely be his call. National correspondent Betsy Woodruff Swan and Playbook co-author Rachael Bade discuss what to watch for now. Plus, President-elect Donald Trump announces another flurry of key administration officials, and Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) rises in the ranks.

Transcript

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0:00.0	presented by BP.
0:05.5	Good morning, everyone. I'm Playbook co-author Rachel Bade. It's Thursday, December 5th, and here's what's driving the day. First, a little update on a story we discussed in yesterday's podcast. Congressman Jerry Nadler is dropping his bid for ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee. We hinted at that yesterday, as you know, in Playbook.
0:22.8	In a dear colleague letter, he backed Maryland Representative, Jamie Raskin.
0:26.3	Yes, his friend who launched a bid for the panel's top Democrat position earlier this week, effectively challenging Nadler.
0:34.2	Though we have to say it's Republicans who are having the particularly busy week right now.
0:38.4	That leads us to story number two. Yesterday, President-elect Donald Trump unveiled a flurry of new
0:43.8	administration appointees. He tapped former Georgia Senator Kelly Loeffler to run the Small Business
0:48.7	Administration. For the IRS, it's former Congressman Billy Long of Missouri, which some of you remember for his selective deployment of his auctioneer skills back when he was on the hill.
0:59.3	He also, by the way, happened to have legislation that proposed abolishing the IRS.
1:04.5	But here we are, Billy Long over at the IRS.
1:08.1	As for the head of the SEC, it's Paul Atkins, who is likely to steer the agency
1:12.6	in a more crypto-friendly direction. And after first picking William McKinley for White House
1:17.8	counsel, Trump has done a little switcheroo and has now tapped David Warrington for that role.
1:23.1	McKinley, meanwhile, will be heading off to be chief lawyer for the so-called Department
1:27.1	of Government
1:27.9	Efficiency, or Doge, as it is known. Of course, working with Elon Musk and Vivekramuswamy,
1:34.4	who, by the way, are going to be on the hill today. For the latest, be sure to visit politico.com
1:39.0	slash transition. For the time being, though, all eyes are focused on Trump's nominee for
1:43.6	Defense Secretary, Pete Hegesath. The Fox News personality has come under fire recently for For the time being, though, all eyes are focused on Trump's nominee for defense secretary,
1:44.7	Pete Hegseth. The Fox News personality has come under fire recently for past comments about women
1:49.4	in combat and amid allegations of sexual misconduct and alcohol abuse, allegations which, of course,
1:55.6	he has denied. But it looks like Hill Republicans are losing faith in his ability to garner
	...

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