Pete Hegseth is ramping up the Pentagon platform with back-to-back meetings on Capitol Hill

Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense, is upping his profile to lead the Pentagon with a series of meetings on Capitol Hill.

Since his nomination, Hegseth has been meeting privately with senators in Washington, DC, in an effort to garner support ahead of his confirmation hearing next year.

Hegseth was back on the Hill for a second day Wednesday, meeting for the first time with Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., who will be chairman of the Armed Services Committee, before an important meeting with incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune. , RS.D.

This leader has faced a series of accusations of drinking alcohol and sexual misconduct, all of which he has denied since he was elected to the position of administration.

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Many sources have confirmed to Fox News that Trump is reportedly considering appointing Gov. Ron DeSantis, Republican of Florida, as Secretary of Defense to replace Hegseth amid allegations against him.

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However, Hegseth dismissed that possibility, telling reporters that he spoke with Trump on Wednesday morning, who reportedly told him to “keep going, keep fighting.”

President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, center, and his wife Jennifer Rauchet walk through the Hartford Senate Office building on Dec. 3. 2024 in Washington, DC. (Anna Moneymaker)

“Why am I backing down?” Hegseth said. “I’ve always been a fighter. I’m here for the fighters.”

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Hegseth added that he would be “meeting all day with senators.”

Fox News’ Bret Baier, Paul Steinhauser and Bill Melugin contributed to this report.