A key Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee is reportedly on the fence about one of President Donald Trump's Defense nominees over his stance on a nuclear Iran - a potential roadblock to his confirmation given the GOP's slim Senate majority.
Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., is reportedly hesitant about the nomination of former Defense official Elbridge Colby to serve as the under secretary of defense for policy, a key Defense post that remains unmanned amid the ongoing confirmation process.
According to a source familiar with the matter, Senator Cotton is focused on ensuring all defense nominees commit to supporting President Trump’s position that Iran must not have a nuclear weapon. Cotton will be addressing this concern in meetings and hearings with the nominees.
Colby's previous suggestion that the U.S. could live with a nuclear Iran rather than countering the country's nuclear assets has reportedly raised concerns for Senator Cotton, whose support could determine Colby's confirmation.
The potential opposition from Senator Cotton has sparked debate among prominent figures on social media, with Elon Musk questioning the reasons behind the opposition and Charlie Kirk accusing Cotton of undermining President Trump's nominee.
Despite the controversy, Vice President JD Vance expressed support for Colby, highlighting his track record in foreign policy debates. Other members of the Senate, such as Sen. Bernie Moreno, have also endorsed Colby, emphasizing his alignment with President Trump's agenda.
Colby's Senate confirmation hearing is yet to be scheduled as the chamber continues to work on confirming more of Trump's cabinet nominees.
