Maine GOP Senator Susan Collins engaged in a substantive discussion with President-elect Donald Trump's defense secretary nominee, Pete Hegseth, on Wednesday. The conversation delved into Hegseth's views on women in combat and the misconduct allegations surrounding him. However, Senator Collins refrained from indicating whether she is prepared to support his nomination at this stage.
Senator Collins emphasized the importance of waiting for the results of an FBI background check, which is currently in progress for Hegseth. She also highlighted the significance of assessing his performance during the committee hearing before making a final decision.
The discussion between Collins and Hegseth covered a broad spectrum of topics related to military affairs. These included defense procurement reforms, the role of women in the military, sexual assault within the military, as well as matters concerning Ukraine and NATO.
When questioned about the effectiveness of pressure from Trump allies to secure Hegseth's confirmation, Senator Collins expressed her independence by stating that she has faced numerous challenging votes throughout her career.
