Cramer throws support behind Hegseth 'barring surprises'

Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) said Wednesday that he is supportive of Pete Hegseth’s nomination to lead the Pentagon as long as no more “surprises” emerge during his confirmation process, which has teetered in recent days amid concerns from some Senate Republicans.

Cramer, who is considered a key vote in the confirmation fight, told reporters after meeting with Hegseth on Wednesday evening that he has “no reason to not be supportive” of the former Fox News host, but cautioned that he is backing him so long as no other reports emerge that could further damage his prospects.

“Yes — that I’m likely to get to a ‘yes’ vote I’d say, yeah. I see no reason to not be a ‘yes’ vote,” Cramer said. “Again, it’s not time to vote, but yeah, I look forward to being as supportive as I can of him … barring surprises.”

The North Dakota Republican pressed Hegseth during the meeting on whether any more revelations will be unearthed in the coming days. The nominee said he did not expect there would be any unless “someone makes something up.”

“I said, ‘One of the things that hurts people most in this business … is surprises, so are there any more surprises?’ And he said nothing that we know of that would be true,” Cramer said. “I have no reason not to believe him about that.”

Cramer described the meeting as “frank” and noted that Hegseth pledged that he will not drink during his tenure as secretary if he is confirmed. NBC News reported earlier this week that employees at Fox were concerned about Hegseth’s alcohol consumption, with some sources telling the outlet that he smelled of booze before going on the air. One source noted that was the case as recently as last month.

“He made that commitment, and I wanted to hear that commitment. I was very satisfied with that, quite honestly,” Cramer said, noting he has a family history of alcohol abuse; in the lead-up to the meeting he had said a commitment of this sort was important to him. “I gave him the benefit of the doubt.”

Hegseth admitted that he drank too much at some work events, which were detailed by The New Yorker over the weekend, but denied that “anything improper happened” and the specific instances laid out in the story.

“I have no reason to doubt him anymore than believe somebody else,” Cramer said.

The Pentagon nominee has come under fire in recent days after The New Yorker report and the revelation of a 2017 sexual assault allegation, which he denies. He went on a media blitz on Wednesday in an attempt to steer his confirmation hopes back on track by appearing on “Fox & Friends” alongside his mother and talking for an hour with Megyn Kelly on her eponymous SiriusXM show.

“He was quite clear he’s in it to stay,” Cramer added.

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