Republicans back Hegseth for Pentagon as Gaetz steps down for attorney general role

Republicans are supporting Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for the Pentagon, despite new allegations of sexual assault from 2017. This support comes as Matt Gaetz withdrew his nomination for attorney general amid his own misconduct allegations. Hegseth's nomination is moving forward, with GOP senators downplaying the allegations against him. They are focusing on confirming Trump's Cabinet quickly, despite concerns about proper vetting and background checks for nominees. Senate Republicans face pressure to confirm nominees swiftly after Trump takes office. While some senators express private concerns, they emphasize their constitutional role in the nomination process, balancing support for Trump with the need for thorough investigations.