Democrats are focusing on Hegseth’s nomination, potentially paving the way for Gabbard’s confirmation as director of national intelligence.

Washington: So, it looks like Pete Hegseth is under a lot of scrutiny lately. For over a month, folks have been questioning his fitness for the Defense secretary role. Meanwhile, some high-ranking Republicans are quietly eyeing Tulsi Gabbard as a potential nominee for Trump.
Hegseth’s recent Senate Armed Services Committee appearance really shows why Gabbard might still have a shot at being confirmed. The media and senators from both parties have been all over Hegseth, which has inadvertently helped Gabbard’s case.
Since Hegseth got nominated back in November, Democrats have been laser-focused on him, especially with all the negative press about his past behavior. It made sense for them to keep the spotlight on him, especially when some Senate Republicans seemed unsure about supporting him.
But lately, it seems like Republican lawmakers are rallying behind Hegseth, despite the controversies. Trump has made it clear he’s not pulling Hegseth’s nomination, which has left Democrats scratching their heads about why they aren’t going after Gabbard more aggressively.
Some Republicans are actually surprised that Democrats haven’t shifted their focus. They think it would be easier for Democrats to target Gabbard, especially since many Republicans are hesitant to vote against a Trump nominee.
It’s a bit of a strange situation. Republicans seem to want the media to dig up dirt on Gabbard so they can use it against her without having to take a public stand. It’s easier for them to let the press do the dirty work than to oppose her outright.
There’s no secret that Senate Republicans have their doubts about Gabbard. One aide mentioned that in a secret ballot, she could lose at least 15 Republican votes. That’s a pretty big deal.
Sen. John Curtis from Utah has been one of the few to voice his concerns publicly. He mentioned needing more information about Gabbard before he could support her nomination. It seems like he’s still on the fence.
Gabbard has tried to ease some worries by changing her stance on certain surveillance tools, which has helped her gain some support. But not everyone is convinced, especially the Wall Street Journal, which still has its doubts about her qualifications.
Interestingly, Hegseth’s military background and his time on Fox News seem to make him more relatable to Senate Republicans. They feel like they know him, while Gabbard’s past ties to Bernie Sanders make her a bit of an outsider.
Hegseth can brush off his past issues by promising to stay sober and focusing on his current marriage. Gabbard, on the other hand, has more substantive challenges to overcome, which makes her situation trickier.
But in the Trump era, loyalty seems to matter more than policy. Republicans are wary of starting off the year on a bad note with Trump, especially with his allies watching closely.
Some Republicans believe Gabbard might be sidelined by Trump’s pick for CIA director, John Ratcliffe. They think the DNI role isn’t as powerful, which could work in her favor.
As Hegseth moves closer to confirmation, Gabbard’s fate will depend on how quickly the Senate acts and how much attention she gets during her hearing. Lawmakers who’ve met her say she’s nice and persuasive, but they’re not sure she has the depth of knowledge needed for the role.
Her upcoming hearing is going to be crucial. It’s going to be one of the most important moments for any of Trump’s nominees. If only Trump had picked Gabbard for a less high-stakes position, things might have been easier for everyone involved.
But then again, when has Trump ever made things easy for traditional Republicans?