Several Republican Senators called for the FBI to release its background check on Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's controversial nominee for Secretary of Defense, Politico reported Thursday.
The selection of Hegseth has been met with criticism from Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and has received lukewarm support from other Republicans. More than a dozen senators from both parties are seeking the release of the background check, according to Politico.
Hegseth met with senators last week in an effort to shore up support for his nomination due in part to allegations of past sexual assaults against him.
Collins is among the senators pushing for the release of the report.
"It would be helpful, given the allegations that have been lodged against Mr. Hegseth, to be able to see the FBI background check," she said.
Sen. Thom Tills, R-N.C., a Trump ally, agreed.
"I've encouraged all of the nominees, number one, be out front on the FBI background check, and you want that information shared at least with committee members," Tillis said.
The Senate Armed Services Committee typically limits access to confidential background checks to the two lead senators, but enough pressure is building from Democrats and Republicans to release the findings.
Hegseth on Monday offered to release a woman from her non-disclosure agreement related to sexual misconduct allegations from 2017, according to Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.
"Just think about what we're talking about; I'd want to know if anybody nominated for a high-level job in Washington legitimately assaulted somebody," Graham said.
Hegseth adviser Arthur Schwartz welcomed the release of the FBI's investigation and told Politico that Hegseth has nothing to hide.
"Mr. Hegseth not only welcomes but looks forward to the FBI background check," Schwartz said.
James Morley III ✉
James Morley III is a writer with more than two decades of experience in entertainment, travel, technology, and science and nature.
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