By MARY CLARE JALONICK and MATT BROWN WASHINGTON (AP) — Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Defense Department, said he had a “wonderful conversation” with Maine Sen. Susan Collins on Wednesday as he pushed to win enough votes for confirmation. He said he will not back down after allegations of excessive drinking and sexual misconduct. Related Articles National Politics | Donald Trump will ring the New York Stock Exchange bell. It’ll be a first for him National Politics | The Trump and Biden teams insist they’re working hand in glove on foreign crises National Politics | ‘You don’t know what’s next.’ International students scramble ahead of Trump inauguration National Politics | Trump is threatening to raise tariffs again. Here’s how China plans to fight back National Politics | Trump won’t be able to save the struggling US beef industry Collins said after the hourlong meeting that she questioned Hegseth about the allegations amid reports of drinking and the revelation that he made a settlement payment after being accused of a sexual assault that he denies. She said she had a “good, substantive” discussion with Hegseth and “covered a wide range of topics,” including sexual assault in the military, Ukraine and NATO. But she said she would wait until a hearing, and notably a background check, to make a decision. “I asked virtually every question under the sun,” Collins told reporters as she left her office after the meeting. “I pressed him both on his position on military issues as well as the allegations against him, so I don’t think there was anything that we did not cover.” The meeting with Collins was closely watched as she is seen as more likely than most of her Republican Senate colleagues to vote against some of Trump’s Cabinet picks. She and Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, a fellow moderate Republican, did not shy from opposing Trump in his first term when they wanted to do so and sometimes supported President Joe Biden’s nominees for the judicial and executive branches. And Hegseth, an infantry combat veteran and former “Fox & Friends” weekend host, is working to gain as many votes as he can as some senators have expressed concerns about his personal history and lack of management experience. “I’m certainly not going to assume anything about where the senator stands,” Hegseth said as he left Collins’ office. “This is a process that we respect and appreciate. And we hope, in time, overall, when we get through that committee and to the floor that we can earn her support.” Hegseth met with Murkowski on Tuesday. He has also been meeting repeatedly with Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst, a military veteran who has said she is a survivor of sexual assault and has spent time in the Senate working on improving how attacks are reported and prosecuted within the ranks. On Monday, Ernst said after a meeting with him that he had committed to selecting a senior official to prioritize those goals. Republicans will have a 53-49 majority next year, meaning Trump cannot lose more than three votes on any of his nominees. It is so far unclear whether Hegseth will have enough support, but Trump has stepped up his pressure on senators in the last week. “Pete is a WINNER, and there is nothing that can be done to change that!!!” Trump posted on his social media platform last week.Donald Trump Jr. has reportedly emerged as a pivotal figure in the transition process, exerting significant influence over the formation of his father Donald Trump’s cabinet The eldest son of the President-elect has played a crucial role in selecting candidates, prioritizing loyalty over experience for top administration positions, according to sources familiar with the situation, Reuters reported. Sources close to the transition, including political allies, donors, and personal friends, revealed, the news report said, that Donald Trump Jr. has helped shape critical appointments, including championing Senator JD Vance as a potential vice-presidential pick and blocking former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo from joining the cabinet. Reuters sources, which include political allies, donors, and personal friends, reported that Don Jr. has played a key role in promoting or blocking candidates, notably championing Senator JD Vance as Trump’s running mate and preventing former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo from joining the cabinet. In addition to his involvement in the transition, Don Jr. is set to join conservative venture capital fund 1789 Capital. However, the news report citing sources said that he will continue to host his politics-focused podcast and support candidates who align with his father 's political philosophy. Despite his growing influence, Don Jr. is unlikely to be involved in day-to-day White House operations, though he will offer advice to his dad . Donald Trump Jr.’s primary focus has been ensuring that cabinet picks are loyal to Trump and share his anti-establishment worldview, according to the report. This includes a preference for protectionist economic policies and a reduction in military interventions and foreign aid. The news report pointed out that Trump Jr.'s advocacy for certain candidates, however, may face significant challenges, as two of his favored choices— Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for US health official and Tulsi Gabbard for intelligence chief—could encounter a difficult Senate confirmation process. Kennedy, an environmental activist, has drawn controversy over his anti-vaccine views, while Gabbard has been criticized for her past comments on Russia and Syria. Further complicating matters, Donald Trump Jr. was a key figure in lobbying for Vance to be Trump’s running mate. While Vance remains popular among Trump’s base, his anti-corporate rhetoric and opposition to Ukraine aid have raised concerns among some donors. However, Trump ultimately embraced Vance, providing Don Jr. with additional political influence during the transition, a source was reported to have said. According to sources close to the matter, as per the report, Donald Trump Jr. was particularly keen on securing a prominent position for his personal friend and former U.S. ambassador to Germany, Ric Grenell, as Secretary of State. However, despite his advocacy, President-elect Trump ultimately chose Senator Marco Rubio for the role. Two of the sources close to Donald Trump Jr. said, the report stated, that he has not been involved in all personnel decisions and is not working full-time on the transition or from Mar-a-Lago. His role has largely focused on high-level appointments, with little influence expected over lower-level personnel vetting, according to one of the sources. These sources clarified that Don Jr.'s involvement in the transition process remains strategic, rather than exhaustive.

Yext to Announce Third Quarter Fiscal Year 2025 Financial Results on December 9, 2024

Nvidia Stock May Rise As Musk Aims To Buy $9 Billion In AI Chips - ForbesA landscape gardener charged with possession of almost half a million euro worth of cocaine has played a “significant role” in transporting drugs for the “Keane” organised crime gang in Limerick, a court heard today. Stephen McNamara, (43), with an address at Woodcock Hill, Meelick, Co Clare, appeared before Limerick District Court, charged with one count of possession of cocaine for sale or supply. The drugs were valued at €490,000, Gardai told the court. READ MORE - No jail time for best man over crash that claimed life of groom after 'showing off' on wedding day READ MORE - Taoiseach Simon Harris dismisses comparisons between Fine Gael election candidate and Conor McGregor cases Detective Garda Brendan McSweeney, Henry Street Garda Station, told the court he arrested Mr McNamara at 5.53pm last Friday, after searching the accused’s car, a black BMW, and discovering seven parcels of suspected cocaine inside the vehicle. Detective Garda McSweeney alleged that Mr McNamara admitted to gardai, following his arrest, that he had known that he was transporting what he believed to be cocaine. Objecting to bail, Det Gda McSweeney alleged that Mr McNamara had played a “significant role for the Keane organised crime group” and that the accused had been in contact with “leading members” of the gang. The court heard Mr McNamara has ongoing drug addiction issues. Detective Garda McSweeney alleged the accused was “caught red-handed” with a suspected “large volume” of cocaine. The garda witness said he believed Mr McNamara would continue to allegedly play a “significant role in the logistics and transportation of cocaine in the city” if he was granted bail. Under questioning from Mr McNamara’s solicitor Sarah Ryan, Det Gda McSweeney agreed the accused was “cooperative” “courteous” and “respectful” to gardai following his arrest. Ms Ryan put it to the garda witness that Mr McNamara was running a “landscaping business” and was “not doing well financially”. Detective Garda McSweeney said he was not aware of any landscaping business and said Mr McNamara “had €2,000 in cash in his possession in his socks” and that he was driving a €35,000 vehicle” when he was arrsted. “He (Mr McNamara) sold an Audi for €18,000 last year is is paying €400pm on finance for his (current) vehicle,” the garda added. Ms Ryan said the accused had previously attended at a drug-treatment facility and that he was impacted by two recent bereavements. Sergeant Sean Murray, prosecuting, alleged that the accused would, in the opinion of the gardai, “continue to commit scheduled offences to feed a (drug) habit and assist a known organised crime gang that we know he associates with”. Judge Patricia Harney said she was granting Mr McNamara bail on a number of conditions, including that he lodge €500 with the court, that he be of good behaviour while on bail, that he reside at his home address only, and notify Gardai of any change in his address, and that he sign on daily at Henry Street Garda Station. The judge also ordered that Mr McNamara have “no contact whatsoever, with Christy Keane” as requested by Gardai. “No contact means - no contact - including by means of third party contact, by mobile phone, or on social media,” the judge said. The judge also ordered Mr McNamara “stay out of the Singland area of Limerick “ as requested by gardai. The accused was also ordered to “surrender his passport”, provide gardai with a contact number that is to be charged and in credit at all times, “and to remain alcohol and drug-free while in public”. Sergeant Murray said gardai were awaiting further directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions. Mr McNamara who was supported in court by family members lodged the €500 bail bond that was brought to the court by a relative. He was remanded on bail to appear before Limerick District Court again on March 12, 2025. A second man, Christy Keane, 63, a native of St Mary’s Park, who was also arrested last Friday as part of the drugs probe, was “released without charge pending further investigations”, a garda spokeswoman said. Join our new WhatsApp community! Click this link to receive breaking news and the latest headlines direct to your phone. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice .Hannah Kobayashi found safe in LA weeks after being reported missing, family says

'Liverpool shouldn't bow to the pressure of Salah's contract – no player is bigger than the club'Daniel Jones Next Team Odds: Contenders jockeying for QB?