Transcript of Trump shows support for embattled defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth

Word tonight involving president-elect Donald Trump's pick to run the Pentagon, the key Republican senator now who just revealed she's willing to meet with Pete Hegseth again. Here's Mary Bruce.

Tonight, Donald Trump coming to the defense of his embattled pick to lead the Pentagon, posting that Pete Hegseth is doing very well and that his support is strong and deep, adding Pete is a winner and there is nothing that can be done to change that. Trump's team adamant that Hegseth can survive despite being dogged by allegations of sexual misconduct, excessive drinking, and financial mismanagement.

We're not abandoning this nomination. I think Pete's gonna get confirmed, and we are completely behind him.

And tonight, we're learning Hegseth will be getting an FBI background check. The process already underway. His attorney saying they received the FBI forms this week.

As long as Donald Trump wants me in this fight, I'm gonna be standing right here in this fight.

But Hegseth's pathway to confirmation is still unclear. And tonight, he's not the only Trump cabinet pick facing pushback. Today, nearly 100 former national security and intelligence officials voicing serious concerns about Tulsi Gabbard, Trump's choice for director of National Intelligence. The former Democratic congresswoman, now a Republican loyal to Trump. I'm proud to stand here with you today, president Trump.

The former officials writing in a letter to senate leaders that they are alarmed by her nomination, saying Gabbard would be the least experienced person to ever hold the position, saying several of Gabbard's past actions call into question her ability to deliver unbiased intelligence briefings to the president, congress, and the entire national security apparatus, including an unsanctioned 2017 trip to Syria to meet with leader Bashar al Assad. Gabbard once saying the brutal dictator was not an enemy of the US.

Assad is not the enemy of the United States because the United, Syria does not pose a direct threat to the United States.

Her past statements about Vladimir Putin and the war in Ukraine also sparking fresh scrutiny. Gabbard echoing Putin's talking points about the invasion.

Here's something you are not going to hear on the mainstream media. What you do hear is warmongers arguing that we must protect Ukraine because it is a, quote, unquote, democracy. But they're lying. Ukraine isn't actually a democracy.

And, David, moments ago, senator Joni Ernst a key vote in this confirmation process saying she's keeping an open mind when it comes to Hegseth. The 2 spoke again by phone today. They plan to meet again in person next week. JD Vance also speaking with Ernst on Hegseth's behalf. Ernst tonight saying, quote, he deserves the opportunity to lay out his vision for our war fighters at a fair hearing.

David.

Mary Bruce from the White House all week long for us. Mary, thank you.