Amid the fight to confirm Pete Hegseth as the next Secretary of Defense, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville has emerged as one of the nominee’s most vocal supporters on Capitol Hill.
During a call with reporters on Wednesday, Tuberville said that he has had the opportunity to speak with Hegseth about a number of military-related topics including Huntsville’s Redstone Arsenal and the importance of Space Command.
“I’ve known him for several years. Good guy, well qualified,” Tuberville noted. “We sat on my couch last week and talked about everything in the world that had come to Huntsville and Redstone and all the military bases we have now.”
According to Tuberville, if confirmed, Hegseth would participate in talks regarding U.S. Space Command HQ’s final basing decision, but wouldn’t be playing a leading role in those conversations.
“He won’t have a big say so about Space Command, and that’s basically up to the new Secretary of Air Force and President Trump. There’ll be a big discussion about that. Pete Hegseth when confirmed, will be in in those discussions.”
RELATED: President Trump preparing to return U.S. Space Command to Huntsville, Alabama lawmakers report
The Senator emphasized that Hegseth fully grasps the importance of Space Command.
“He understands the need for Space because that’ll be the next frontier of warfighting. We’re way behind Russia and China,” he said. “We’ve got to get Space Command going. For some reason they blocked it from coming to Huntsville, this administration. Hopefully, we can get it moved and get it going in the right direction in the very near future.”
Tuberville stated that Hegseth has likely shared a strong intent to visit Alabama in his capacity as Defense Secretary, particularly given the outsized role the state has on national security, aerospace and defense.
“He’ll make a very early trip to Huntsville once he’s confirmed as the new Secretary of Defense.”
Hegseth, a host for Fox News and Bronze Star recipient, is currently fighting attacks on his personal character from both leftists and a small contingent of establishment Republicans.
Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @ShipleyAusten
