The Trump transition team has waged an intense, and in many ways unprecedented, behind-the-scenes campaign ahead of Pete Hegseth’s confirmation hearing to intimidate and silence potential witnesses, aimed at keeping Republican senators in line and in the dark. “I’m deeply concerned by an apparent pattern of intimidation and threats, whether it’s legal action or reputational harm,” said Senator Richard Blumenthal, a Democratic member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, which will be holding Hegseth’s hearing. “It’s been pretty unnerving” for his Republican Senate colleagues, Blumenthal continued, “because this nominee is so deeply unqualified and unprepared,” yet they fear political retaliation from Trump if they vote their consciences.

 

The Trump transition team has waged an intense, and in many ways unprecedented, behind-the-scenes campaign ahead of Pete Hegseth’s confirmation hearing to intimidate and silence potential witnesses, aimed at keeping Republican senators in line and in the dark. “I’m deeply concerned by an apparent pattern of intimidation and threats, whether it’s legal action or reputational harm,” said Senator Richard Blumenthal, a Democratic member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, which will be holding Hegseth’s hearing. “It’s been pretty unnerving” for his Republican Senate colleagues, Blumenthal continued, “because this nominee is so deeply unqualified and unprepared,” yet they fear political retaliation from Trump if they vote their consciences.

The Trump team’s efforts to curb dissent stretch from public-media campaigns, paid for by unelected billionaires, that target vulnerable senators in conservative states, to more underhanded tactics to intimidate and discredit potentially hostile witnesses. Hegseth’s lawyer, for instance, has threatened to sue Jane Doe, a woman who anonymously accused Hegseth of rape, and her lawyer for defamation if her allegations prevent him from being confirmed. So far, it appears that such tactics may be working. Several potential witnesses, including Jane Doe, have declined to speak out publicly and have elected not to testify at Tuesday’s hearing.

Jane Mayer reports on how Hegseth's supporters have targeted his accusers and potential dissenting voters, suppressed his F.B.I. background check, and spent a staggering amount of private money—a sum rivalled only by the cash that has been spent to pressure senators into confirming Supreme Court Justices—in the run-up to his hearing.