The White House stated that President Donald Trump stands by Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth in response to questions, while Senator Joni Ernst sidestepped a direct endorsement by expressing confidence in Congress, according to X posts shared between 9:46 p.m. and 10:15 p.m. UTC on December 8, 2025. CNN's Zachary Cohen reported the White House's position as Trump "stands by" Hegseth, noting it followed similar queries. Ernst, who provided a key confirmation vote for Hegseth, responded to a question on her confidence by saying, "I confidence in the Congress," per Cohen's post in the 29-minute reporting window. This comes after President Trump earlier on December 8 deferred decisions on releasing full videos of Pentagon strikes against suspected drug boats to Hegseth, calling a reporter questioning the matter "obnoxious," as reported in prior coverage. Trump had indicated Hegseth would have "no problem" with the release. Separately, Elbridge Colby of the United States Watershed Project praised President Trump’s National Security Strategy as a "clear and powerful articulation" of an "America First, Peace Through Strength agenda," stating it ensures the U.S. operates from a position of strength, in a post timestamped within the reporting window.
