WASHINGTON—A key witness in the contentious Senate confirmation of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was assured by Sen. Thom Tillis (R., N.C.) that her sworn statement would carry weight in last week’s vote and could convince Republican senators to oppose the nominee,

North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis told Pete Hegseth’s former sister-in-law that a sworn statement about his alleged alcohol abuse and abuse of his second wife could convince senators—himself included—to oppose Hegseth’s confirmation as secretary of defense,

Senators voted 51-49 to advance Hegseth's defense secretary bid, which has been mired in several controversies. Two Republicans oppose him.

Pete Hegseth's former sister-in-law, Danielle Hegseth, was “personally assured” by Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) that her stinging statement critical of the Defense secretary nominee could carry influence with Republican senators – and doom his nomination,