**Vance Leads Controversial Cabinet Nominee Gaetz Through Senate Meetings**

Vice President-elect JD Vance took a prominent role on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, escorting one of President-elect Donald J. Trump's most controversial Cabinet choices, Matt Gaetz, to key meetings with senators. This marks Vance's most significant public duty since Trump secured the presidency earlier this month.

Vance accompanied Gaetz, the former Florida representative and Trump's nominee for attorney general, amid swirling controversies. Gaetz resigned from the House last week, effectively putting an end to a yearslong investigation by the House Ethics Committee into allegations of sexual misconduct and illicit drug use.

The nomination has caused unease even within Republican ranks. Senator Lindsey Graham from South Carolina relayed that he had met with both Vance and Gaetz, emphasizing that the confirmation process would be thorough and fair. "These allegations will be dealt with in committee, but he deserves a chance to confront his accusers," Graham stated to reporters.

The task of ushering such a contentious nominee through the confirmation process is uncommon for a vice president-elect and is typically delegated to a midlevel official or someone with strong personal connections on the Hill. However, Trump has unwaveringly supported his choices, delegating Vance, a senator from Ohio, the responsibility of navigating the early stages of confirmation with Gaetz and others.

In addition to Gaetz, Vance is scheduled to guide Pete Hegseth, a Fox News host and Trump's nominee for secretary of defense, through similar meetings on Thursday. Hegseth, an Iraq and Afghanistan war veteran, faces allegations of sexual assault, which he denies. His ability to fulfill the role of principal adviser on defense policy is also under scrutiny.

Hegseth's meetings were initially planned for Wednesday but have been postponed to Thursday. The situation underscores the challenging task ahead as Vance works to secure Senate approval for these highly scrutinized nominees, stepping into the spotlight as Trump's administration begins to take shape.