Posted on 01/14/2025 1:05:33 PM PST by E. Pluribus Unum
During a contentious hearing, Donald Trump’s pick for defense chief dismissed allegations of past misconduct and tried to clarify his views on women in the military.
Senate Democrats on Tuesday hammered Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for defense secretary, in an early test of Republican loyalty as lawmakers take up the incoming administration’s slate of unconventional and contentious cabinet picks.
Hegseth, a former Fox News host and soldier in the Army National Guard, has written and commented extensively on his beliefs that Democrats are “America-wreckers,” that women do not belong in combat, and that international laws meant to limit civilian casualties are a hindrance to successful war-fighting.
His selection also has been plagued by claims of alleged misconduct, ranging from an alleged sexual assault in 2017 to accusations of financial mismanagement, excessive drinking and sexism in his previous jobs — all of which he denies.
“The totality of your own writings and alleged conduct would disqualify any service member from holding any leadership position in the military, much less being confirmed as the secretary of defense,” Sen. Jack Reed (Rhode Island), the Senate Armed Services Committee’s top Democrat, said during his opening remarks.
Tuesday’s hearing quickly became a heated, rhetorical battle along partisan lines — marked at times by raised voices — as Democrats repeatedly quoted Hegseth’s divisive past statements and Republicans mounted a vocal defense of his record, offered him opportunities to clarify controversial views, and chastised Democrats for “hypocrisy” and being “ignorant of the facts.”
There was little time overall spent examining the details of Hegseth’s strategy for meeting the complex threats that America faces from Russia, China, Iran and other adversaries.
Prior to his work at Fox, Hegseth led small numbers of troops while deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, and had presided briefly over two veterans advocacy...
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
“One of her parting “shots” to Hegseth was, “Donald Trump has filed for bankruptcy 5 times so I wouldn’t call him a SUCCESS!!!” Really , Tammy? How many businesses have you put together? What’s her success? Using her handicap to parlay it into the Senate?”
Rumor has it that Trump is going to buy the Capitol Bldg. and turn it into a giant Bordellow. Oh wait, it is already that and the Hos are already working there.
“...led small numbers of troops...”
I hate the Bezos Post.
I started to watch the hearings but after Sen. Reed began smearing Hegseth, I turned it off. It sounds like the other Democrats were even worse.
Duckworthless is a veteran, and very disabled ...
and an absolute disgrace to the uniform she once wore.
Well, idi wasn’t divisive. He wasn’t anything.
VOTE DEMOCRATS OUT !!!!!!!
VOTE DEMOCRATS OUT !!!!!!!
As a platoon leader, 50-100 men answered to him. As a Captain and later a Major, several hundred men would have answered to him.
The little twats at the Compost have never had anything remotely close to that kind of responsibility.
Gillebrand from NY was part of that shrill,harpy,screechy,bitchy group as well....
Yes. You are I are simpatico on this.
The Deep State is terrified of anyone making meaningful changes because they might produce positive results. They care little for America and Americans except as cannon fodder and slave labor to the State.
“”Gillebrand from NY was part of that shrill,harpy,screechy,bitchy group as well.... “”
WOW - my lucky day - missed her - must be when I laid down to read and nap....
The adjectives all fit!!!! Do they think that being uncivil would somehow appeal to viewers and possible constituents or stand a chance of SINKING all nominations!
LOL - super!! The current members wouldn’t even find it necessary to leave!
spelling correction - bordello....couldn’t resist! I’m part of FR spelling/grammar correction brigade! Elected just this year!
“”Duckworth””
A veteran - amputee...Don’t know about Kaine and highly doubt Hirono or Warren would fit the bill..
But wouldn’t it be fun to see them go through basic training?
I am completely decided that any veterans who support Democrats and other Leftists are violating their oath they took upon entering the military.
I hate it. I hate having to take this stance against someone who may have taken up combat arms in defense of this Republic.
But I don’t see any other way.
They are enabling people who wish to destroy the Constitution.
If one of these Leftist veterans said “I am devoted to proposing Constitutional amendments to address what I see as problems with the Constitution” I suspect I would be able to accept that at face value and still respect them as American citizens.
But they aren’t doing that. And they won’t. Because they know they can’t do these amendments legally because people simply will not buy it. So they undermine and ignore the Constitution.
That is what all those people named are doing. And that is what the POS Duckworth is doing.
I part ways with those people.
What about Heels Up Harris’s experience in running the country? That did not bother the democrats.
“”violating their oath they took upon entering the military.””
One of the “harridans” on the subcommittee believes that because Hegseth ALLEGEDLY broke his oath when he got married, that he would break any oath he would take to serve as Defense Secretary...no question - just a flat out statement of fact in her mind. She didn’t even need to know what that oath was - maybe it was not standard but written by the partners themselves. Maybe NO OATH.....
OR maybe it was one of the men....doesn’t matter - all of them were such paragons of virtue - it was sickening! So refreshing to hear several voices (all men) backing up Hegseth’s Christian faith. THAT alone would automatically disqualify anyone in a dem’s mind and perhaps everything we saw today was their red herring!
If I didn’t see all those white boys, I’d have mistaken him for an African dictator, garish medallion and all.
“contentious” hearing. Well, who is making it contentious?
Leftist Dem scum. Losing means nothing to them. They must be destroyed.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.