Republican Senator Lindsey Graham recently shared insights on the confirmation process of Pete Hegseth as President-elect Donald Trump's defense secretary. Graham expressed that Hegseth is in a better position this week compared to last week, following concerns about potential challenges in his confirmation.
Graham emphasized that the accusations against Hegseth are currently anonymous, and he highlighted that the police report he reviewed indicates Hegseth is doing well. Graham praised Hegseth's intelligence and stated that any accusations of mismanaging money or non-consensual behavior must be credible and presented in a manner that allows Hegseth to respond.
During a meeting with Trump's nominee for FBI director, Kash Patel, Graham shared positive feedback about the meeting, indicating that he would be open to the idea of replacing current FBI Director Chris Wray, despite Wray having three years left in his term. Graham acknowledged Trump's desire for a new FBI director and expressed a need for a fresh start at the agency.
While Graham expressed his appreciation for Director Wray, he noted that there is a perception among conservatives that the FBI has been involved in political matters, which he believes should come to an end. Graham clarified that his stance is not personal against Wray but rather a call for a new direction at the FBI.
Additionally, Graham mentioned his intention to arrange another meeting with Tulsi Gabbard, Trump's nominee for director of national intelligence, to discuss matters related to Syria. Graham highlighted a previous meeting with Gabbard and emphasized the importance of further discussions on the Syrian situation.
