WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Kevin Cramer, a Republican member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, voiced continued confidence in Pete Hegseth’s potential as defense secretary — but acknowledged that the former Fox News host may need significant support to succeed in the role.
“I’m confident that Pete Hegseth can still be — and will be — a great Secretary of Defense,” Cramer told CNN’s Dana Bash in an interview Monday afternoon. “But he’s going to need some help around him.”
The North Dakota senator pointed to a lack of institutional experience as one of the early challenges for Hegseth, noting the complexities of navigating the vast U.S. defense bureaucracy.
“I think one of the things he has lacked in the early days is some real expertise, institutional expertise, in the building,” Cramer said.
“The monster that is the Pentagon was a bigger monster perhaps than he even thought.”
Hegseth’s nomination has stirred debate in Washington, with supporters praising his military service and media presence, while critics question his qualifications to lead the Defense Department. Cramer’s remarks reflect a willingness among Republican allies to back Hegseth, provided he builds a strong advisory team to guide him through the institutional maze of the Pentagon.