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Democrats assail Hegseth as too divisive, inexperienced to run Pentagon
The Washington Post ^ | January 14, 2025 | Abigail Hauslohner, Liz Goodwin

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 ...


TOPICS: Front Page News; Government; Political Humor/Cartoons; Politics/Elections
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1 posted on 01/14/2025 1:05:33 PM PST by E. Pluribus Unum
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

And it’s being well run now?


2 posted on 01/14/2025 1:09:01 PM PST by ImJustAnotherOkie
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

You mean they compared him to Robert McNamara?...........


3 posted on 01/14/2025 1:09:10 PM PST by Red Badger (Homeless veterans camp in the streets while illegals are put up in 5 Star hotels....................)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum
This guy is fine though...

Incompetent moron in a face shield
4 posted on 01/14/2025 1:10:07 PM PST by SunStar (Democrats piss me off!)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Hey, Bezos! You’re gonna need to step it up a little with your so-called “improvement” of WaPo.


5 posted on 01/14/2025 1:11:35 PM PST by workerbee
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To: SunStar

Yep, really projects strength and intelligence.


6 posted on 01/14/2025 1:11:57 PM PST by 1Old Pro
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Those accusing him are combat veterans?-)


7 posted on 01/14/2025 1:12:32 PM PST by Harpotoo (Being a socialist is a lot easier than having to WORK like the rest of US:-))
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

The only experience the Dems excel in is spending too much money. I wouldn’t hire any of them to balance the books of a lemonade stand.


8 posted on 01/14/2025 1:13:32 PM PST by 1Old Pro
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Inexperienced?

A lot of people have prior experience running the Pentagon?


9 posted on 01/14/2025 1:13:33 PM PST by Dead Corpse (A Psalm in napalm...)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Trump you and your admin HAVE to DESTROY these idiots. Stop pretending that being nice to them will change them. Dems are out for BLOOD. Every time they talk abt repubs being violent they mean DEMS ARE VIOLENT. They told awful stories abt Pete today. You think NONE of THEM have slept w other women or voted DRUNK? ATTACK Go after EVERY police stop or every thing tey have done as a VIOLATION of law.


10 posted on 01/14/2025 1:15:27 PM PST by Singermom
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To: Dead Corpse

DIMocRATs are an embarrassment to ALL life forms.


11 posted on 01/14/2025 1:16:29 PM PST by hal ogen (First Amendment or Reeducation Camp?)
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To: 1Old Pro

As a life long Accounting person-—

I CAN GUARANTEE ALL HERE THAT DEMS DO NOT EVEN KNOW WHAT “BALANCE THE BOOKS” EVEN MEANS-——


12 posted on 01/14/2025 1:23:28 PM PST by ridesthemiles (not giving up on TRUMP---EVER)
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To: 1Old Pro

“The only experience the Dems excel in is...”

snorting cocaine in the White House and making gay porn in Congress.


13 posted on 01/14/2025 1:32:35 PM PST by chuckb87
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

I’m reminded of when Lincoln was told that Grant drinks:

“ When some one charged Gen. Grant, in the President’s hearing, with drinking too much liquor, Mr. Lincoln, recalling Gen. Grant’s successes, said that if he could find out what brand of whisky Grant drank, he would send a barrel of it to all the other commanders.”


14 posted on 01/14/2025 1:34:41 PM PST by SauronOfMordor (Either you will rule. Or you will be ruled. There is no other choice.)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum
"...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..."

Gee. It's a puzzle.

I cannot for the life of me figure out why, in these important hearings, they were simply unable to find the time to discuss the complex threats facing American from our enemies.

I am baffled.

I suppose they didn't allocate enough time for discussion, or structure the hearings correctly.

I just can't figure any of this out.

It is beyond me.

I don't have the capability to understand this at all.

It is beyond my comprehension.

It takes bigger intellects than mine to noodle it out.

/S

15 posted on 01/14/2025 1:35:28 PM PST by rlmorel ("A people that elect corrupt politicians are not victims...but accomplices." George Orwell)
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To: Harpotoo

“”Those accusing him are combat veterans?-)””

One was - Duckworth, IL. What a shrew - disabled veteran or not. She has traded on that injury her entire career.

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?

The democrat females (Warren, Hirono, Duckworth) on the Armed Services Committee were angry, ferocious and obnoxious. I didn’t watch all of it but what I saw was sickening enough so there may have been more dem females - thank goodness, I missed them if so.

It’s hard to believe the voters ever saw that side of them on election day...Makes me ashamed to think they’re part of the female species...

They were up to Kamala’s old trick - “I’ll take that as a NO” when they didn’t give Hegseth time to answer..

Tim Kaine, VA was no less obnoxious - paragon of virtue sitting there.. Bob Menendez used to be one also, wasn’t he - UNTIL?

Mullin, OK put it into words that anyone could understand..well, except for democrats - WE ARE NOT PERFECT, EVERYONE MAKES MISTAKES....


16 posted on 01/14/2025 1:40:07 PM PST by Thank You Rush
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To: ridesthemiles

AND the US Constitution calls for a annual P&L...You and I are well aware of what that is but have we ever seen one?


17 posted on 01/14/2025 1:43:29 PM PST by Thank You Rush
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To: Thank You Rush

“a annual P&L”

great proofreading - AN annual P&L.....


18 posted on 01/14/2025 1:45:54 PM PST by Thank You Rush
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

The Democrats could not bring the full Kavanaugh treatment on Mr. Hegseth, so they resorted to filibustering him instead, never actually ASKING a question, but trying to insert words he never uttered in his mouth.


19 posted on 01/14/2025 1:46:32 PM PST by alloysteel (This is yet another test. There are no right or wrong answers, only the correct response for you.)
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To: Thank You Rush
"...Warren, Hirono, Duckworth, Kaine..."

What are those abject douchebags doing on anything military associated? If you want to understand what is wrong with the military, look no further than them.

20 posted on 01/14/2025 1:47:40 PM PST by rlmorel ("A people that elect corrupt politicians are not victims...but accomplices." George Orwell)
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