North Dakota Senator Kevin Cramer (R) called on President-elect Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense to stop drinking amid concerning reports.
The New Yorker reported on Sunday that Hegseth was forced to step down by two nonprofit advocacy groups he ran due to mismanagement of funds, sexual impropriety and excessive drinking. NBC News reported on Tuesday that Hegseth’s drinking also worried colleagues at Fox News, where he was a weekend host until earlier this month.
“One of the things I’d love to hear is that he’s committed to not drinking,” Cramer told CNN on Wednesday. “Being familiar with the problems of alcoholism and the dumb things we do when we drink too much, it’d be really nice if he could set that one aside for good, if not at least through his term as secretary.”
Cramer’s comments come as Hegseth faces an uphill battle toward Senate confirmation for the top post at the Pentagon.
Hegseth was set to meet with Sens. Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), and Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) on Tuesday and traveled again to Capitol Hill on Wednesday.
Sources close to the President-elect informed The Wall Street Journal that he’s considering nominating Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to replace Hegseth if he can’t gather the support for confirmation. (RELATED: Trump Signals Plan To Nominate DeSantis For Admin. Role)
